Markers of Oxidative Stress Present in Blood in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart beat that starts in the upper parts of the heart and can cause stroke or death, if untreated. In general, treatments are not very effective, with frequent relapses of the abnormal heart beats. One explanation for the high relapse rate is that the treatments might not address the underlying cause of atrial fibrillation. Recently, the investigators have found that atrial fibrillation is associated with increased oxidative stress. This is a condition where abnormal oxygen forms are produced. These forms harm the cells of the heart, causing them to beat abnormally. The investigators have found increased oxidative stress in pig and mouse models of atrial fibrillation. They would like to see if oxidative stress is present in humans with atrial fibrillation. In this study, they will compare blood markers of oxidative stress between patients with and without atrial fibrillation. It is the expectation that participants with atrial fibrillation will have more abnormal blood markers of atrial fibrillation. This study requires participants to visit their doctors, undergo a history and physical examination, and give blood only once.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Inflammation; Atrial Fibrillation; Atrial Flutter

Detailed Description

Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart beat that starts in the upper parts of the heart and can cause stroke or death, if untreated. In general, treatments are not very effective with frequent relapses of the abnormal heart beats. One explanation for the high relapse rate is that the treatments might not address the underlying cause of atrial fibrillation.

Recently, we have found that atrial fibrillation is associated with increased oxidative stress in a particular part of the top parts of the heart, the left atrial appendage (LAA). Oxidative stress is a condition where abnormal oxygen forms are produced. These forms harm the cells of the heart, causing them to beat abnormally. Also, the inside of the heart becomes sticky and more likely to form blood clots. These clots, when they travel to the head, are thought to be the main cause of stroke in this condition. We have found increased oxidative stress and increased evidence of blood clotting in pig and mouse models of atrial fibrillation. We would like to see if these same findings are present in the human LAA.

In this study, we will compare blood and tissue markers of oxidative stress between patients with and without atrial fibrillation who are scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery. It is the expectation that participants with atrial fibrillation will have more abnormal markers of atrial fibrillation. This study requires participants to be seen during their routine preoperative visit, undergo a history and physical examination, give blood only once, and allow use of their discarded LAA. This tissue is routinely removed at surgery because its removal is thought to reduce the risk of stroke in patients who develop atrial fibrillation after the surgery. This happens in up to 50% of patients, thus providing the desire to remove the LAA.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 47

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Georgia
    • Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322
      • Emory University Hospital
    • Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30365
      • Crawford Long Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients older than 18 years with or without permanent or persistent atrial fibrillation.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cases must have atrial fibrillation documented on electrocardiographic recordings at the time of enrollment.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Atrial fibrillation

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beat coming from the upper chamber of the heart). To look at the differences between people who have irregular heart beats compared to those who do not have irregular beats. Study may last up until one year.	1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Emory University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Samuel C Dudley, M.D., Ph.D., Veterans Administration/Emory University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Neuman RB, Bloom HL, Shukrullah I, Darrow LA, Kleinbaum D, Jones DP, Dudley SC Jr. Oxidative stress markers are associated with persistent atrial fibrillation. Clin Chem. 2007 Sep;53(9):1652-7. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2006.083923. Epub 2007 Jun 28.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: June 1, 2005
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 1, 2007
• Study Completion (Actual): November 1, 2007

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 31, 2005
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 1, 2005
• First Posted (Estimate): September 2, 2005

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): September 27, 2013
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 26, 2013
• Last Verified: September 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Oxidative stress; Atrial Fibrillation; Cardiology
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Heart Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Inflammation; Atrial Fibrillation; Atrial Flutter
• Other Study ID Numbers: 476-2005