Relationships between fibrin clot properties, clinical characteristics, other biomarkers and clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (Dr Thomas Nelson)
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat. It can cause a stroke because of blood clots forming in the heart and travelling to the brain. A protein called fibrin is a major component of blood clots. Fibrin is responsible for binding a clot together. Anticlotting drugs such as warfarin (a relatively old drug) and apixaban (a relatively new drug) can prevent stroke by stopping the formation of fibrin. In a clinical trial called ARISTOTLE, apixaban was shown to be better than warfarin at reducing stroke in people with atrial fibrillation. The tendency of blood to form fibrin clots, and how easily the clots are broken down, varies between individuals. The properties of fibrin clots are also influenced by different diseases including diabetes and kidney failure. Professor Robert Storey, a cardiologist at the University of Sheffield, will lead a project to find out how the properties of an individual’s fibrin clots influence their risk of stroke and other complications associated with blood clots. To achieve this, the researchers will analyse blood samples collected in the ARISTOTLE trial. The team will also investigate factors that influence the anticlotting effect of apixaban. Learning more about individual variation in clot formation and the response to anticlotting drugs could help doctors accurately predict the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation and prescribe the optimal dose of medication.
Project details
| Grant amount | £299,629 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Fellowships |
| Application type | Clinical Research Training Fellowship |
| Start Date | 01 September 2019 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | FS/19/49/34541 |
| Status | In Progress |
