Atrial volumes and atrial fibrillation reccurrence post-cardioversion
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The comparison of right and left atrial volumes for the prediction of short-term atrial fibrillation recurrence following a successful electrical cardioversion.
IRAS ID
247342
Contact name
Harriet Gunney
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 9 days
Research summary
Atrial fibrillation is a common abnormal heart rhythm in which the top two chambers of the heart (atria) beat rapidly, spontaneously and in an irregular fashion. An electrical cardioversion is considered as an initial treatment option. This treatment delivers an electrical current which aims to ‘shock’ the heart out of the abnormal rhythm and restore the heart’s normal rhythm. Although initial success rates are high, recurrence of atrial fibrillation is common. Structural changes in the heart can occur as a consequence of atrial fibrillation. In particular the top two chambers (atria) are affected. The chambers become enlarged, with the degree of enlargement thought to affect electrical cardioversion success; the larger the chambers, the greater the risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence. This study aims to investigate whether these chambers are predictive of atrial fibrillation recurrence following the treatment and whether one chamber in particular is a superior predictor. Chamber size can be assessed using an ultrasound scan of the heart (echocardiography). This scan produces images of the heart, from which measurements of chamber size can be made. This will be a retrospective study, analysing existing data of patients who have been treated with an electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation. Participants will be split into two groups based upon heart rhythm at 3-months follow-up from the treatment: 1) normal heart rhythm and 2) atrial fibrillation recurrence. Statistical analysis will be performed to identify differences between the groups and predictors of atrial fibrillation recurrence following the treatment.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NE/0349
Date of REC Opinion
9 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion