Predictive value of Serum ST2 in Atrial Fibrillation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Whether Serum ST2 levels predict the outcome of cardioversion in patients with Atrial Fibrillation
IRAS ID
140595
Contact name
Richard Fink
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS London Innovation Fund
Research summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest disorder of cardiac rhythm and a major cause of stroke and heart failure.
Patients with AF receive anticoagulants to prevent the formation of blood clots. Measures are also taken to restore the normal beating of the heart. These include drugs, electrical cardioversion or ablation therapy (insertion of intracardiac catheters to destroy the abnormal cardiac tissue).
In contrast to other heart conditions (heart attacks and heart failure) there are currently no tests to assist the clinician to assess the severity of the pathological processes (fibrosis, inflammation, remodelling) causing the AF, with the result that the clinician manages the patient in a ‘blinded’ manner.
A recent study of heart failure (European Journal of Heart Failure 2012; 14: 268 – 77) showed that ST2 levels were associated to AF but the study was not specifically designed to assess the clinical significance of this relationship.
To further explore the association between AF and ST2 levels, this study will examine patients with AF who are undergoing electrical cardioversion. ST2 levels will be measured on one occasion before cardioversion. The results will be used to assess whether ST2 levels correlate with treatment outcome and complication rates.
If ST2 levels identifies patients with severe underlying pathological processes who do not respond to conversion, this test could become a convenient and cost effective method of providing objective information that will help clinicians manage this common and dangerous conditionREC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1151
Date of REC Opinion
31 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion