Construction of a Cohort of Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in Rural China

May 22, 2026 updated by: Ming Chu, Jiangsu Taizhou People's Hospital

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia in aging populations and is strongly associated with an increased risk of heart failure (HF) and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, early detection of HF among patients with AF remain inadequate in rural settings. This study aims to screen for HF among older adults with AF in rural China and to conduct long-term follow-up in order to observe the disease progression in patients with AF.

This study will recruit at least 2,500 elderly individuals aged between 65 and 80 years, with confirmed diagnoses of AF, residing in rural areas. Participants will undergo HF screening using NT-proBNP testing and echocardiographic assessment. Additionally, data will be collected on electrocardiographic signals, seismocardiography, voice, and demographic characteristics. Following data collection, participants will be followed up every three months to monitor the incidence and progression of HF as well as the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

2500

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • China
    • Jiangsu
      • Taizhou, Jiangsu, China, 225300
        • Recruiting
        • Department of Cardiology
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Ming Chu, Dr.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population is rural-dwelling older adults aged 65 to 80 years with confirmed atrial fibrillation in China. Participants are required to undergo heart failure screening and provide informed consent. Individuals with severe comorbidities or conditions that may interfere with study participation will be excluded.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Permanent residents with local household registration in rural China.
  2. Aged 65-80 years.
  3. Electrocardiogram confirmation of AF or possession of a diagnostic certificate for AF issued by a specialist.
  4. Willing to participate in HF screening.
  5. Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Expected life expectancy of less than 3 months.
  2. Severe renal insufficiency (Ccr < 30ml/min) or ongoing dialysis treatment.
  3. Cardiac insufficiency secondary to correctable causes, including hyperthyroid heart disease, anemic heart disease, or uncorrected congenital heart disease.
  4. Indications for pacemaker implantation without having undergone implantation.
  5. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated by type II respiratory failure.
  6. Special populations, including patients with mental illnesses.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Composite endpoint
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 3 years
a composite of cardiovascular mortality, all strokes (ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke), hospitalization due to worsening of HF or acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and emergency visits due to AF
through study completion, an average of 3 years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Jiangsu Taizhou People's Hospital

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 14, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 18, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 22, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 28, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 22, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • LSKY 2026-016-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

De-identified individual participant data (IPD), including baseline characteristics, laboratory results, echocardiographic data, and follow-up outcomes, will be made available upon reasonable request. Data sharing will be subject to approval by the study investigators and in accordance with institutional policies and ethical regulations.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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