Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation in patients undergoing ILR
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation in patients undergoing Implantable Loop Recorder Implant
IRAS ID
254722
Contact name
Peter Pugh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Implantable Loop Recorders (ILR) are small devices the size of a memory stick, which are implanted to investigate different problems including stroke, dizziness, fainting and palpitations. They are designed to monitor the heart constantly and detect any abnormalities including an irregular heartbeat called Atrial Fibrillation (AF).
Stroke is a life threatening condition and unfortunately no cause is identified for over one third of strokes. AF is a predominant risk factor for stroke and about 30% of patients with stroke are found to have AF when they are monitored with an ILR. Although permanent AF is easy to identify, intermittent AF (that is present sometimes) is difficult to identify. Medical studies have shown that using an ILR is the best way to monitor the heart and identify AF. Unfortunately, not every patient with a stroke can have an ILR.
Studies have also shown that special factors including patient’s other medical problems, family history, factors on paper recording of electrical activity of the heart, heart monitors, ultrasound scan of the heart as well as different blood test can be useful in predicting which patients have underlying intermittent AF.
The aim of our study is to look at all the above factors; patient’s medical problems, family history, factors on paper recording of electrical activity of the heart, heart monitor, ultrasound scan of the heart and existing blood tests and combine them in order to determine whether these factors can predict the presence of AF. In addition we aim to look at a specific blood test called troponin to check whether it can be useful in predicting AF.
Identify predictors of AF will allow doctors to identify patients at high risk of having underlying AF, manage them better and use the ILR in all possible patients that might need it.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0831
Date of REC Opinion
5 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion