Autonomic function studies

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The interaction of the autonomic nervous system on the natural electrical waves that make the heart beat

  • IRAS ID

    204863

  • Contact name

    Jaswinder Gill

  • Contact email

    jaswinder.gill@gstt.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 0 months, 0 days

  • Research summary

    This study will aim to improve our understanding of the mechanism of dangerous heart rhythm disorders. Dangerous heart rhythm disorders are a major global health challenge and an improved understanding about their precise mechanism may improve treatment and improve our ability to identify at-risk patients. These rhythm disorders are caused by abnormalities in the electrical system on the inside of the heart, which can be measured from recording on the inside of the heart.

    The nervous system of the heart plays a role in the mechanism of this condition but at present our current understanding of this is limited. This study aims to investigate the effects of the nervous system on the natural electrical waves that make the heart beat.

    Patients recruited in this study will already have a cardiac pacemaker inserted previously. This will allow us to make non-invasive recordings of the electrical activity of the heart using the pacemaker leads that are already in place. This is routinely carried out in clinical practice. At the same time patients will have recordings using non-invasive techniques of their nervous system. This will allow us to compare the findings of the electrical activity of the heart with the findings of the nervous system recordings.

  • REC name

    London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    16/LO/0801

  • Date of REC Opinion

    13 Jun 2016

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion