Active clinical trials for "Atrial Fibrillation"

This cohort study aims to evaluate thoracoscopic left atrial appendage excision plus atrial fibrillation ablation versus oral anticoagulants for the prevention of stroke and non-central nervous systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation and thromboembolism.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of pre-ablation fibrosis on scar formation in the left atrium of the heart. This will be assessed by delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging and will be looked at in patients who have undergone successful open irrigated cooled-tipped radio-frequency ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Follow-up after ablation will be for 12 months.

About one-third of patients with stroke have no documented cause for the cerebrovascular event (known as cryptogenic strokes). Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of stroke, but when transient (paroxysmal) it may remain undiagnosed. Recent data suggest that occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may be identified in patients with cryptogenic strokes using prolonged ambulatory cardiac rhythm monitors. The investigators designed this study pursuing the following goals: To determine the prevalence of occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with cryptogenic stroke using long-term mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry. To compare this prevalence to that found in a control group with stroke of known, non-cardioembolic cause. To look for clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic, and imaging data that serve as risk factors for occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with cryptogenic stroke. To examine the utility of mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry, a relatively new diagnostic tool, in the evaluation of patients with cryptogenic stroke.

The laboratory test, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), has become well established as a marker of inflammation. Recently a high CRP level (indicating an increase in inflammation) was identified as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. We are conducting this study with patients such as yourself with atrial fibrillation who are planning to undergo cardioversion to determine what sort of relationship exists between CRP levels and atrial fibrillation. We will then look at success rates of converting atrial fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm, compared to patients' CRP levels.

Studies in the past have shown that yoga could relieve stress which is the most common trigger for recurrent episodes of atrial fibrillation. Breathing exercises in yoga are found to influence the autonomic nervous system (particularly parasympathetic) and thus reduce palpitations. This study hypothesizes that patients with atrial fibrillation might benefit by practicing yoga. Yoga may also help to better control heart rate and rhythm when used in combination with usual medical management.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac cause of ischemic stroke. Detecting atrial fibrillation after a stroke or TIA is critical because highly effective secondary stroke prevention therapy is available for individuals who are recognized to have atrial fibrillation. However, atrial fibrillation is likely under-diagnosed after stroke and TIA because atrial fibrillation is often difficult to detect as it is frequently paroxysmal and asymptomatic, and patients do not routinely undergo prolonged screening. The purpose of this study is to determine the diagnostic yield of a novel 30-day cardiac event monitor compared to a repeat 24-hour Holter monitor for detecting occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with a recent ischemic stroke or TIA of undetermined etiology after completion of a standard clinical stroke work-up (including an initial negative Holter monitor.)

An alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) rich diet in the Lyon Heart Study reduced sudden cardiac deaths possibly by reducing cardiac arrhythmias and ventricular fibrillation (Lancet 1994). Since then, there has been a growing interest in ALA as a cardioprotective nutrient. Much of the interest has focused on the potential antiarrhythmic effect of ω-3 fatty acids, especially the longer chain ω-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, derived from fish. We therefore concluded it important to test whether the shorter chain ω-3 vegetable oil ALA also had antiarrhythmic effects, since this might also explain the beneficial effects seen on cardiovascular mortality in the Lyon Heart Study.

To investigate whether apelin can be used as an indicator to predict postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, and to provide an objective basis for the clinical selection of a preventive intervention program for atrial fibrillation.

Use of new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) in patients before and after catheter based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is still controversial. Experience is reported from consecutive patients ablated with PVI for atrial fibrillation and treated with dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban from Nov 2011 until Dec 2014. Patients are followed for 3 month after ablation. All complications possible being related to the use of NOAC are registered.

An intervention program targeting patients and caregivers based on education about their condition and training in the use of portable coagulomenter to self monitor and training on the treatment adjustment to self manage, can be effective to enable patients in OACs to self manage as well as to identify determinant factors associated with the success and failure of the program.