Isoprenaline infusion as a method of induction of Atrial Fibrillation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Isoprenaline infusion as a method of induction of Atrial Fibrillation; A randomised controlled trial investigating the use of Isoprenaline to induce an episode of atrial fibrillation
IRAS ID
138811
Contact name
John Paisey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Foundation Trust
Eudract number
2014-002290-11
Research summary
This study will investigate a use for a well-established drug called isoprenaline. Some doctors use an intravenous infusion of isoprenaline to cause patients to go into an abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation. This use is part of a procedure to treat that abnormal rhythm. Although it is reasonable to suppose that isoprenaline will have this effect, its ability to induce atrial fibrillation has never been definitively proven.
Using a double blinded, placebo controlled design our study will demonstrate the efficacy of induction of atrial fibrillation using an isoprenaline infusion. In addition, the data collected from this trial will demonstrate whether this effect is consistent in the same subject on different occasions and will characterise the ability of isoprenaline to induce atrial fibrillation in different patient groups.
We will be administering an infusion of isoprenaline or a dummy (placebo) infusion to participants in this study, often at the time of a cardiac catheter ablation (a treatment for abnormal heart rhythms). We will look to see if they have an episode of atrial fibrillation whilst the infusion is being administered. We will see if atrial fibrillation occurs more often during infusion of isoprenaline than it does during a dummy infusion.
There is evidence to suggest that people with a stronger tendency to suffer from atrial fibrillation have a higher chance of experiencing an episode of this abnormal rhythm during an isoprenaline infusion. If this trial demonstrates that isoprenaline is effective at inducing atrial fibrillation, the technique may prove a helpful way of identifying people at high risk for developing this rhythm in normal life.
The study is taking place at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. It is expected to run for 2 years. It is funded by a grant from the Bournemouth Cardiac Research Fund.REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/1171
Date of REC Opinion
28 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion