In the proposed study the investigators aim to clarify the relative contribution of these different mechanisms to the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). Also the contribution of the individual genetic background will be investigated. Furthermore, the investigators aim to identify clinical parameters and biomarkers informing on the main mechanisms of AF progression in atrial tissue. For this purpose, in all included patients atrial biopsies will be taken during cardiac surgery.
An estimated 380 patients will be included Four patient categories will be included enabling to study patients with different stages of AF progression; 1. Patients without history of atrial fibrillation, without new onset atrial fibrillation detected by continuous rhythm monitoring after surgery (control group), 2. Patients without history of atrial fibrillation, with new onset atrial fibrillation detected by continuous rhythm monitoring, 3. Patients with self-terminating atrial fibrillation at inclusion, and 4. Patients with non-self-terminating atrial fibrillation at inclusion. At baseline in-depth phenotyping and genotyping will be performed. Continuous rhythm monitoring will also be performed in all patients. The combination of extensive phenotyping, genotyping and atrial fibrillation burden follow-up offers the unique opportunity to study the atrial tissue alterations and atrial gene expression changes in different stages of atrial fibrillation progression and to correlate these data to the phenotype of the patients.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
380
Continuous rhythm monitoring Medtronic
AZMaastricht
Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
RECRUITINGBiochemical factors in atrial biopsies and blood samples
Biochemical factors in atrial biopsies and blood samples associated with atrial fibrillation and contributing to atrial fibrillation progression
Time frame: 2.5 year follow up
Molecular factors in atrial biopsies and blood samples
Molecular factors in atrial biopsies and blood samples associated with atrial fibrillation and contributing to atrial fibrillation progression
Time frame: 2.5 year follow up
Genetic factors in atrial biopsies and blood samples
Genetic factors in atrial biopsies and blood samples associated with atrial fibrillation and contributing to atrial fibrillation progression
Time frame: 2.5 year follow up
Atrial fibrillation burden
Atrial fibrillation burden
Time frame: 2.5 year follow up
Number of atrial fibrillation episodes
Number of atrial fibrillation episodes
Time frame: 2.5 year follow up
Duration of atrial fibrillation episodes
Duration of atrial fibrillation episodes
Time frame: 2.5 year follow up
Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events
Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (i.e. death, stroke, myocardial infarction)
Time frame: 2.5 year follow up
First recurrent atrial fibrillation;
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First recurrent atrial fibrillation
Time frame: 2.5 year follow up
AF progression
Self-terminating atrial fibrillation turning into non-self-terminating atrial fibrillation measured from ECGs and implantable loop recorders
Time frame: 2.5 year follow up
AF complexity
Electrical atrial fibrillation complexity or signs of atrial conduction disturbances measured from ECGs
Time frame: 2.5 year follow up