High-resolution mapping of human dual atrio-ventricular pathways
Research type
Research Study
Full title
High-resolution mapping to investigate the electrophysiological properties of the dual atrio-ventricular pathways in humans
IRAS ID
202833
Contact name
Phang Boon Lim
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The heart consists of two pairs of chambers: a left and a right atrium, as well as a left and a right ventricle. These four chambers contract synchronously to efficiently pump blood around the body. Contraction of these four chambers is carefully co-ordinated by the cardiac conduction system.
A critical part of this conduction system is the atrioventricular node (AVN), which conducts electrical impulses from the two atria to the two ventricles. Our understanding of the AVN has vastly improved since its discovery over a century ago, and attempts have been made to map the precise conduction pathways of this important structure. If there is a problem with this node, abnormal heart rhythms such as AVNRT might occur.
It has previously been shown in experimental studies and clinically that there are often two pathways through the AVN – a “fast” and a “slow” pathway, however more recent studies have demonstrated that this model of entirely distinct pathways may be an oversimplification of reality. The problem with previous studies is that none of the studies provide high-resolution mapping data from live humans, but instead rely on either low-resolution mapping data from live humans, or mapping in the lab or on cell samples.
In this study, we propose to perform rapid high-resolution mapping using the Rhythmia system to investigate the conduction properties of the human atrioventricular junction. Mapping of the conduction system will be performed on patients with confirmed AVNRT prior to and after treatment, to and analysed to determine the anatomical location of these pathways and their conductive properties.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0122
Date of REC Opinion
2 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion