Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Tracking Atrial Fibrillation After Intensive Care Admission

This study is investigating a heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF) that can cause an irregular heartbeat. It focuses on patients who develop AF for the first time while in intensive care (ICU). We want to understand if these patients continue to have AF after leaving the ICU and the hospital, and how often it might return. The study will use small, wearable heart monitors to track patients' heart rhythms over time. The goal is to learn more about AF in this group of patients, so doctors can find better ways to prevent long-term problems like strokes or heart failure in the future. By monitoring carefully, we hope to improve care for people recovering from serious illness.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

University of Oxford

Enrolment target

100

Start

01 Feb 2022

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Atrial Fibrillation New Onset New Onset Atrial Fibrillation Atrial Fibrillation

What is this study about?

When people are very ill and need intensive care (ICU), their heart rhythm can sometimes change. A common problem is called atrial fibrillation, or AF. This is where the heart beats irregularly and sometimes too fast, which can make it less efficient at pumping blood. This might cause some new problems, like a higher risk of blood clots that could lead to a stroke if they travel to the brain, or heart failure.

Doctors have good ways to treat AF in people outside of ICU, but it's less clear what happens to patients who get AF for the first time while in intensive care. Some of these patients might get better before leaving the ICU, but we don’t know if it will come back later. We also don’t know if patients who didn't get AF in ICU might still be at risk after they go home. This study wants to track these patients to find out more.

By carefully monitoring patients who get AF in intensive care, we hope to understand how often it returns and whether they are at risk of long-term problems like strokes. This will help doctors learn how to care for these patients better and decide if certain treatments, like blood thinners to prevent clots, might be helpful for them in the long run. Ultimately, this research aims to improve the health and well-being of people recovering from serious illnesses.

Key takeaways

The study investigates a heart rhythm problem called atrial fibrillation after intensive care.
It focuses on patients who get AF for the first time during their critical illness.
Heart rhythm will be monitored using small, wearable patches.
The aim is to understand if AF continues or returns after hospital discharge and the risk of complications.
This research will help improve future care and prevent serious issues like strokes.
Participation involves wearing a patch and attending one follow-up clinic visit.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you would need to be 16 years old or older and have been admitted to intensive care for more than 24 hours. A key part is that you must have developed atrial fibrillation (AF) for the first time while in intensive care, and you must not have had AF before your ICU stay. You would also need to be willing and able to understand and agree to take part, or have a family member or close friend provide advice if you're not able to at the time.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you already had AF before going into ICU, or if wearing a heart monitoring device isn't possible for you. You also wouldn't be able to join if your doctors don't expect you to survive your ICU stay, or if you have certain medical conditions that mean you can't take blood-thinning medication. Also, if you have a special nerve stimulator implant, the study device might interfere with it.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 16 years old or older?
Were you in intensive care for more than 24 hours?
Did you develop atrial fibrillation for the first time while in intensive care?
Did you NOT have atrial fibrillation before your intensive care stay?
Can you wear a small sticky patch on your chest for heart monitoring?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the study starts while you are still in intensive care. If you develop atrial fibrillation (AF) there, you will then be monitored more closely. After you leave the ICU and move to a regular hospital ward, you will wear a small, sticky patch on your chest for up to 14 days, or until you leave the hospital, whichever comes first. This patch continuously monitors your heartbeat to check for AF.

About three months after you leave the hospital, you'll have a follow-up appointment at the special ICU clinic. At this visit, you'll be given another chest patch to wear for seven days. This again checks your heart rhythm. During your hospital stay and at this follow-up appointment, the research team will also gather information from your hospital notes and ask you a few questions about your health and any new problems you might have had since leaving the hospital. The total duration of active monitoring will be around 14 days in hospital and 7 days at home after 3 months.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may not directly benefit you, but the information collected will help doctors understand AF better in patients after intensive care. This could lead to improved care and prevention of serious problems like strokes for future patients. The main risk is the slight discomfort from wearing the heart monitoring patch, which is generally very safe. There are no medications given as part of this study. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Oxford University Hospitals Trust
Verified postcode
Oxford, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'atrial fibrillation'?

It's a heart condition that causes an irregular and often very fast heartbeat. It can sometimes lead to blood clots, which could cause a stroke.

Why is this study important?

It will help doctors understand what happens to people who get AF for the first time after being very ill in intensive care, so they can offer better care and prevent future problems.

What do I have to do if I join?

You'll wear a small heart monitor patch while in hospital and again for a week after you leave, and attend a follow-up clinic visit at 3 months.

Are there any side effects from the monitoring device?

The heart monitor patch is generally safe, but some people might find it slightly uncomfortable or get a mild skin irritation where the patch is placed.

Can I leave the study at any time?

Yes, you are completely free to withdraw from the study at any point, and your decision will not affect your medical care.