Retro-Mapping of transient & planar wavefronts in atrial fibrillation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Retro-Mapping the distribution pattern of transient planar wavefronts during atrial fibrillation may indicate the underlying mechanism perpetuating activation
IRAS ID
174414
Contact name
Ian Mann
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinical cardiac rhythm disturbance affecting 1 in 200 people regardless of age. The underlying mechanism has been much debated, and this in part is likely to affect success rates in the treatment of AF.
At present we are able to do a procedure called an ablation which involves placing specialised catheters in to the heart via blood vessels in the leg. Small burn marks are made inside the heart in an attempt to correct the irregular heart beat. Unfortunately the success rate for treatment is around 50% for patients with persistent AF.
We have developed a novel program to aid in localising areas of electrical interest in the heart that may be drivers for AF. We plan to use this program alongside specialised catheters placed in the heart to see if ablation in these areas increases the success rate of the procedure and furthers our understanding of the underlying mechanism.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1367
Date of REC Opinion
9 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion