Study of Genetic Factors in Heart Weakness Caused by Atrial Fibrillation Comparing Patients Who Recover After Treatment and Those Who Do Not

What this Trial Is About

Atrial Fibrillation AF is a common heart rhythm problem affecting many adults over 45. While most tolerate AF well, some develop heart failure due to weakened heart pumping. This research aims to understand why some people with AF develop heart failure by studying specific genetic differences in patients who develop heart failure triggered by AF compared to those who do not. The study will analyze genetic variants linked to heart muscle disease in three groups patients with AF-induced heart failure who recover after treatment, patients with AF who do not develop heart failure, and patients with AF-related heart failure who do not recover after treatment. The study will include 92 patients with AF-induced heart failure who improve after treatments such as catheter ablation or cardioversion, 184 patients with AF but preserved heart function, and 23 patients with AF and heart failure who do not improve after treatment. Researchers will test a selected set of genetic variants known to cause heart muscle disease to find differences among these groups. This focused approach aims to be cost-effective and avoid unclear genetic results. Participants will undergo baseline genetic testing on one day to identify these genetic variants. The main measure is the prevalence of these gene variants in the AF-induced heart failure group compared to controls. The findings could help doctors identify patients at risk for heart failure during AF, guide treatment decisions, and suggest family screening when needed. The study is sponsored by Barts & The London NHS Trust and will collect data until May 2027.

AIC Genotyping Study