The interdependence of anatomy and function in atrial fibrillation
Normally, your heart’s natural pacemaker sends out regular electrical impulses. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder, mainly affecting people over 55. AF happens when the regular electrical impulses in the atria (the top chambers of the heart) are disrupted, resulting in palpitations, breathlessness, fatigue and being at higher risk of stroke. Doctors know that the size of atria influences the complexity and duration of AF, but this measure does not take into account the electrical impulses and mechanical function of the heart. Dr Steven Niederer and colleagues have been awarded a grant to create a computer model of an individual patient’s heart. They will measure and interpret the atrial electrical and mechanical function from a single patient alongside atrial size, to better understand how atria maintain the irregular rhythm. This research moves us towards an era of personalised medicine and may reveal new ways to tailor treatment to individual patients with AF. Learning more about how atria maintain an irregular rhythm could reveal new ways to treat AF.
Project details
| Grant amount | £252,383 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 01 February 2014 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/13/37/30280 |
| Status | Complete |
