ReCETT-AF
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Realistic Computational Electrophysiology Simulations for Targeted Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
IRAS ID
285221
Contact name
Steven Williams
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
Atrial fibrillation is a common condition causing an irregular heartbeat, breathlessness and tiredness. Atrial fibrillation occurs owing to abnormalities in the electrical circuits controlling the upper heart chambers. \n\nAtrial fibrillation can be treated with a keyhole procedure called ablation. During ablation small areas in the heart are burnt away to stop the abnormal circuits causing atrial fibrillation. Unfortunately, ablation only works for 50-90% of people. We are not sure why, but possibly because the electrical circuits responsible are different in every heart. \n\nThis research will examine how these electrical circuits can be identified and treated. A new system using computer modelling will be developed to identify the electrical circuits present. In the future we hope this approach could be used to design tailor-made treatments for each patient. A combination of computer studies and studies involving patients will be used to test this new approach in this study.\n\nFor this study patients who are already planned to undergo an ablation procedure will be recruited providing data for three Work Packages. Consent will be sought to access routine investigations and data for research purposes (e.g. ECGs, blood tests, ambulatory monitoring, cardiac imaging, and outpatient clinical assessment); and collect extra data for research including additional cardiac imaging, a 2-week heart monitor pre- and post-ablation, and extra electrical measurements made during the ablation procedure.\n
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
21/NS/0080
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion