RABLAP-AF
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Reduction in Arrhythmia Burden with Left Atrial Posterior Wall Ablation for Persistent AF
IRAS ID
298666
Contact name
Dhiraj Gupta
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Atrial fibrillation is a rapid irregular heart rhythm originating in the upper chambers of the heart called the atria. The sources of these abnormal electrical signals are most commonly located in the pulmonary veins that return blood from the lungs to the left upper chamber of the heart (the left atrium). However, other structures may also be involved. When the atria beat rapidly and irregularly they do not pump blood effectively. Although this is usually not a life threatening condition, it can affect the health in many ways.
An important treatment of atrial fibrillation is catheter ablation. The aim of this procedure is to isolate the areas that are generating or perpetuating abnormal signals in the heart. This is done by passing wires into the heart and delivering heat energy. While the success rate of catheter ablation in patients with early atrial fibrillation is good, the long-term success in patients with advanced disease remains suboptimal. In such patients, a more aggressive ablation strategy may be needed.
There is evidence to suggest that the back wall of the left atrium is an extension of the pulmonary veins which is known to be important in atrial fibrillation. Therefore, targeted ablation in this area may be beneficial for patients with advanced atrial fibrillation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the addition of catheter ablation to the back wall of the left atrium improves the long-term success rate of ablation in atrial fibrillation patients with advanced disease.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0312
Date of REC Opinion
7 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion