Ablation of Low Voltage Regions in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Persistent Atrial FibrillationBackground. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a disorganised rhythm of the upper chambers of the heart. It can lead to severe complications including stroke or heart failure. It can be treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This technology works by heating heart muscle inside the heart to break the electrical circuits responsible for the abnormal rhythm. The energy is delivered into the heart with plastic tubes that have metal electrodes, inserted through the groin veins and removed after the procedure. The patient is usually put to sleep during the intervention. If the AF has been present for more than seven days but for less than one year it is called persistent, and it can be difficult to treat successfully with the usual methods. Goals. The study will test a new RFA technique to treat patients with persistent AF. This involves identifying areas within the left upper chamber that have a lower electrical voltage than the surrounding heart muscle and applying RFA to the border zones of these areas. Methods. The new technology combined with the usual procedure will be compared to the usual procedure alone. All patients will receive ablation according to the new technique and results will be compared to a historical control group from the trial institution. Follow up. Patients will be followed up for 12 months with clinic visits and heart rhythm checks. Potential benefit. The new technique will be assessed for success at keeping patients free from persistent AF compared to the usual methods. The study will be performed at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, at the Hammersmith Hospital. Licensed clinical software will be used from St Jude Medical to guide ablation and a special research software module will be used to analyse data from the heart following ablation. The study will be sponsored by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Finding Atrial Fibrillation in Stroke - Evaluation of Enhanced and Prolonged Holter Monitoring
StrokeThe purpose of this study is to assess whether repeated enhanced and prolonged ECG monitoring after ischemic stroke results in a higher detection of atrial fibrillation (/flutter) compared to usual care (at least 24 hour of cardiac monitoring).
Colchicine For Prevention of Perioperative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery...
Atrial FibrillationThoracic SurgeryThe purpose of this pilot study is to determine the feasibility of comparing colchicine to placebo for the prevention of new onset atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing general thoracic surgery and establish the foundation for a large, multi-centre, clinical trial.
D-dimer Assay for the Exclusion of Intra-atrial Thrombus Risk Before Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation...
Atrial FibrillationThe purpose of this study is to determine whether D-dimer dosage allow to exclude risk of intraatrial thrombus before performing an ablation of atrial fibrillation
Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation by Optimized Overdrive Stimulation
BradycardiaAtrial FibrillationEvaluation of dynamic Atrial Overdrive Stimulation using the AF Suppression Algorithm to prevent atrial tachyarrhythmias in patients with more than 2% Auto Mode Switch Episodes with optimized pacemaker programming. Hypothesis: Dynamic atrial Overdrive (AF Suppression) reduces AT/AF Burden by 30% as compared to programming DDDR-(60) without AF Suppression when all other parameters are optimized.
Rhythm Evaluation for AntiCoagulaTion With COntinuous Monitoring
Atrial FibrillationAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained abnormal rhythm of the heart, affects an estimated 2.5 to 5 million individuals in the US, and can lead to stroke, heart failure, and premature death. For those with AF and other stroke risk factors, chronic anticoagulation is recommended to prevent intracardiac thrombus formation and stroke even if the AF is infrequent or short-lived. This standard of care is based partly on our inability to rapidly recognize and respond to AF recurrences which can often be brief and asymptomatic, but exposes the patient to the risk of anticoagulant-induced hemorrhage even during prolonged periods of sinus rhythm where the risk of stroke is presumably low. Recent advances in device technology and drug therapy, however, have the potential to change the way the investigators manage AF. The use of a small leadless subcutaneous implantable cardiac monitor with remote data transmission capabilities (Reveal XT, Medtronic Inc.) provides the ability to remotely and continuously evaluate a patient for AF recurrences, even episodes that are brief and asymptomatic. In addition, release of unique oral thrombin inhibitor approved for use in non-valvular AF(Dabigatran [Pradaxa], Rivaroxaban [Xarelto]) allows for rapid onset anticoagulation within minutes to hours of a single oral dose. Together, these advances allow for continuous AF monitoring with targeted anticoagulation only around the time of an AF episode, thereby reducing the risk of drug-induced hemorrhage while still protecting against stroke. The aim of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility of intermittent anticoagulation with a rapid-onset oral thrombin inhibitor guided by a continuous AF-sensing implantable cardiac monitor (Reveal XT) with remote data transmission capabilities.
Efficacy of Optison Echo Contrast to Detect Thrombus in Left Atrial Appendage
Atrial FibrillationThe investigators intend to determine if using Optison echocardiography contrast increases sensitivity and specificity of detecting left atrial appendage thrombus in transesophageal echocardiography studies as opposed to standard 2D and 3D TEE imaging without the use of echo contrast.
Safety Procedure Pulmonary Artery Denervation in Addition to Pulmonary Vein Isolation Combined With...
Atrial FibrillationHypertension7 moreSome patients with a long history of AF develops PH "reactive" type with an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance due to vasoconstriction or structural changes of the vascular wall. RFA PVI + RFA GP is the "gold standard" in the treatment of patients with persistent AF, do not respond to optimal therapy. The rear area of the pulmonary artery bifurcation is adjacent to the roof and part of the front of the left atrium. In the projection of this area are ganglionic plexus of the left atrium, the sympathetic nerve fibers of the pulmonary artery and baroreceptors main pulmonary artery.Recent studies have shown that radiofrequency denervation of the pulmonary artery improves the quality of life in patients with PH.
Rhythm Control of AF in Patients With Acute Stroke
Atrial FibrillationProspective randomized (rhythm control or rate control) Objective of study To analyze long term outcome of patients with acute stroke with atrial fibrillation according to the rhythm control To analyze recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation or recurrence stroke in patients with acute stroke according to the rhythm control (by antiarrhythmic drug, cardioversion, catheter ablation)
Early Detection Of Atrial Fibrillation In Patients With Transient Ischemic Attack
Transient Ischemic AttackAtrial FibrillationThe purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of atrial fibrillation in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA). Patients suffering TIA will have their heart rhythm extensively monitored with 72-hour Holter-monitoring and an implantable loop-recorder. Furthermore, the patients will be examined with echocardiography, coronary calcium-score and biomarkers with the purpose to predict which subjects at risk for developing atrial fibrillation.