Circulating microparticles in atrial fibrillation Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pathophysiological and prognostic significance of circulating microparticles, left ventricular fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction in atrial fibrillation
IRAS ID
134038
Contact name
Gregory YH Lip
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
Research summary
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart arrhythmia (a type of irregular heartbeats) and it is one of the major problems of modern cardiology. Apart from being an important risk factor for stroke atrial fibrillation often leads to heart failure symptoms, such as shortness of breath, even though most of such patients have preserved heart pumping capacity (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction).\nThe mechanisms of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction are complex and poorly understood. Whilst activation of profibrotic mechanisms is a known response to increased pressure load in the heart, increased production of collagen (a molecule that makes tissues stiff) in the heart muscle (the process called fibrosis) may also play a key role in inability of the heart to relax (called diastolic dysfunction). However little data are available at present on the clinical significance of fibrosis of the main heart pump, left ventricle in atrial fibrillation.\nCirculating microparticles are small phospholipid vesicles released from different cells into the bloodstream and they can be involved in mechanisms of heart fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction.\nThe aim of this study is to investigate possible associations between levels of different types of microparticles, such as microparticles produced by blood cells (such as monocytes, platelets) and vascular wall cells (endothelial cell microparticles) and diastolic dysfunction and heart fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation. We also aim to check whether abnormal microparticles and heart fibrosis increase risks of admission to hospital with heart failure or even death in patients with atrial fibrillation,\n\nPatients with documented atrial fibrillation with preserved heart pumping capacity defined by echocardiography will be prospectively recruited. All patients will receive current optimized treatment in accordance with current clinical recommendations. Heart scans (echocardiograms) will be done to assess diastolic dysfunction and fibrosis of the heart. A blood sample will be taken to analyse microparticles by a method called flow cytometry. Blood markers of fibrosis/collagen turnover will be measured by another method, called ELISA. The study clinical outcomes will be hospital admissions related to heart failure or death from any cause during one-year follow up.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/WM/0017
Date of REC Opinion
27 Feb 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion