STAR mapping in AF, version 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identification, electro-mechanical characterisation and ablation of driver regions in persistent atrial fibrillation
IRAS ID
183308
Contact name
Ross Jacob Hunter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Barts Health NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained heart rhythm abnormality. Its incidence is increasing partly due to the aging population and it has been referred to as a growing epidemic. AF results in irregular contractions of the heart causing unpleasant symptoms of palpitations and increasing the risk of stroke, heart failure (HF) and death. Percutaneous catheter ablation (CA) is a safe treatment option in symptomatic patients with AF. The success rate of these procedures has improved with time due to our better understanding of AF, development of new techniques and technologies, and greater physician experience. However, success rate for persistent AF following a single ablation procedure remains around 50%. \nWe plan to identify areas that drive AF using a novel mapping technique, allowing us to target these areas specifically as part of the ablation procedure. The data from this study will be used to refine the identification of drivers in the fibrillating left atrium with enormous potential to simplify ablation. We also aim to clarify the relationship between these driver sites and areas of scarring within the heart to improve our understanding of how changes in the heart promotes AF and this may point to ways of modifying this process. This will be achieved through a single centre prospective cohort study including patients that are undergoing CA for atrial tachycardia (validation phase) and persistent AF (mapping phase). It is not anticipated that involvement in the study will increase the procedural risks inherent to CA of AF/AT.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1379
Date of REC Opinion
23 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion