AFLETES-MRI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Atrial Fibrillation and the risk of stroke in veteran athLETES: a pilot cardiac and cerebral Magnetic Resonance Imaging study – AFLETES-MRI.
IRAS ID
325825
Contact name
Gerry McCann
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Participation in exercise is good for the heart. However, long-term endurance exercise, such as cycling increases the risk of an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AF). In AF, blood flow is altered, increasing the risk of clot formation in the heart which may enter the circulation and cause a stroke. The risk of stroke can be reduced with the use of blood thinning medication. Athletes with atrial fibrillation, due to their healthy lifestyle are generally felt to be at low risk of stroke and many would not be offered blood thinning treatment.
In a recent survey of almost one thousand athletes, we found that there was an increased risk of stroke in those with atrial fibrillation, even in those without other risk factors for stroke. To further investigate these findings, this study will use MRI scanning to look at the hearts and brains of athletes aged between 40-60 years old. We will assess athletes with and without atrial fibrillation, as well as some athletes with atrial fibrillation who have had a stroke previously. The MRI scans will measure heart size and function as well as blood flow patterns in the heart. The study will determine whether athletes with atrial fibrillation have small “strokes” on the brain MRI, which may not have caused any symptoms, and whether these are related to abnormal flow patterns. The results will help us decide whether a much larger study needs to be done which could influence whether athletes with atrial fibrillation should be offered blood tinning medication.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/YH/0133
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jun 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion