Could your genes predict heart damage from irregular heartbeat?
NCT ID NCT07574697
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study investigates whether certain genetic variations make some people with atrial fibrillation more likely to develop a weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy). Researchers will compare the DNA of 299 participants, including those with AF-related cardiomyopathy and control groups, to find genetic differences. The goal is to better understand why some people recover heart function after treatment while others do not.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help identify people at risk for heart muscle damage from atrial fibrillation, leading to earlier monitoring or treatment.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It may not directly change care, and genetic findings may not apply to all patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 299 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2026
- Expected to finish
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May 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
The study population is patients with a diagnosis of persistent AF who have undergone AF CA. Their LVEF at baseline and after CA in Sinus rhythm will determine eligibility. Barts Heart Centre, based at St Bartholomew's Hospital is a tertiary referral centre for cardiac electrophysiology with established expertise in AF CA. This will be the single study site. The team performed approximately 1300 index procedure AF CAs in 2018. Referral for AF CA to Barts Heart Centre is through a 'hub and spoke' arrhythmia service delivery model with its surrounding hospitals. Patients will be referred to the CRF for screening from the Electrophysiology out-patients clinic alongside the referral for AF CA. Vulnerable groups shall be excluded from this study.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
INCLUSION: AIC (Cases): * Age ≥18 * Persistent AF before index catheter ablation or cardioversion * LVEF ≤40% during rate-controlled (resting HR \<100bpm, mean HR on 24-hour Holter \<100bpm) AF prior to index catheter ablation or cardioversion * LVEF normalisation (LVEF ≥55%) in SR, post-catheter ablation or cardioversion (≥3 months post-catheter ablation or cardioversion), no AF (\>30 seconds of continuous AF) detected outside blanking period (8 weeks post-catheter ablation), and with no new introduction of any new or increased dose of heart failure guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi), Sodium Glucose Co-transporter 2 (SLGT2) inhibitors, increased dose of beta-blocker (BB), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA)) AF-pEF (Negative controls): * Age ≥18 * Persistent AF before index catheter ablation or cardioversion * LVEF ≥55% during rate-controlled (resting HR \<100bpm) AF. AIC-genotyping study, v1.7, 27.01.26 Page 13 of 28 AF/HF non-responders (Positive controls) * Age ≥18 * Persistent AF before index catheter ablation or cardioversion * LVEF ≤40% during rate-controlled (resting HR \<100bpm) AF before index catheter ablation or cardioversion. * Persistent LVSD (LVEF ≤40%) in SR, post-catheter ablation or cardioversion (≥3 months post-catheter ablation or cardioversion), no AF (\>30 seconds of continuous AF) detected outside blanking period (8 weeks post-catheter ablation) and with no change in heart failure GDMT (RAASi, SGLT2 inhibitors, increased dose of BB, MRA). EXCLUSION: AIC (Cases). * No alternative cause for LVSD (ischemic cardiomyopathy/non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy before AF diagnosis, primary valve disease, inherited cardiomyopathy * Any pregnancy during AF or in the 12 months preceding LVSD onset. * Alcohol intake \>21 units/week * Any history of cardiotoxic chemotherapy AF-pEF (Negative controls) * No known cause for LVSD (ischemic cardiomyopathy/non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy before AF diagnosis, primary valve disease, inherited cardiomyopathy). * Any pregnancy during AF or in the 12 months preceding LVSD onset. * Alcohol intake \>21 units/week. * Any history of cardiotoxic chemotherapy. AF/HF non-responders (Positive controls) * No alternative cause for LVSD (ischemic cardiomyopathy/non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy before AF diagnosis, primary valve disease, inherited cardiomyopathy). * Any pregnancy during AF or in the 12 months preceding LVSD onset. * Alcohol intake \>21 units/week. * Any history of cardiotoxic chemotherapy.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust
RECRUITINGLondon, EC1A 7BE, United Kingdom
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