D-SPECT guided GP ablation of paroxysmal and persistent AF (GP-PAF)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study on the role of ganglionated plexus ablation for catheter ablation of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation
IRAS ID
133593
Contact name
Sabine Ernst
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Spectrum Dynamics Medical Ltd
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Catheter ablation procedures are nowadays routine procedures in patients with drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). However, ablation success for patients even in the early stages of AF is only around 70% at present and may require multiple procedures. The intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS), which forms a neural network, has been shown to be a critical element responsible for the initiation and maintenance of AF. Autonomic inputs to the heart converge at several locations; these convergence points are typically embedded in the epicardial fat pads and form ganglionated plexi (GP) that contain autonomic ganglia and nerves. In human hearts, there are at least 7 GP and the 4 major left atrial GP are located around the antrum of the PVs. High-frequency stimulation (HFS; 20 Hz, 10–150 V and pulse width 1–10 ms) can localize GPs during an invasive EP study. A novel dedicated cardiac camera with solid-state detectors (D-SPECT, Spectrum Dynamics) shows significantly improved sensitivity, resolution and energy resolution can provide novel imaging information on so far “invisible” structures like the GPs. Using this 3D image information to guide GP ablation could significantly facilitate AF ablation and result in improved ablation outcomes.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/2207
Date of REC Opinion
19 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion