Cardiac radionuclide imaging in ventricular arrhythmia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An interactive cardiac nuclear imaging and intracardiac electrophysiology approach to the problem of sudden cardiac death.
IRAS ID
146952
Contact name
Reza Razavi
Contact email
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 majority of dangerous heart rhythms originate from the lower pumping chamber in the heart (ventricle) and occur in patients who have previously suffered from heart attacks. Prior heart attacks result in areas of scar and nerve damage, both of which are thought to be important in causing these rhythm disorders, and although we have some understanding about the mechanism as to how scar leads to rhythm disorders, we have very little understanding as to the effect of heart nerve damage which is found around the outside of the scar. This is despite recent studies suggesting heart nerve damage might be the most important predictor of rhythm disorders.
Patients recruited in this study will undergo a specialized cardiac scan, which will identify and characterize areas of scar and areas of heart nerve damage, both caused by prior heart attacks (a scan called a cardiac MRI-PET scan). These patients, in whom an invasive cardiac clinical procedure is already planned on clinical grounds, will undergo electrical recordings from the inside of the heart during their planned procedure. By comparing precisely directed electrical recordings from areas of scar, nerve damage, and normal heart muscle we aim to discover how nerve damage alters the regional electrical system such that unsafe heart rhythm occur.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1730
Date of REC Opinion
11 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion