Improving Patient Reported Outcome Measures in Catheter Ablation
This study, taking place at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, explores how often we should ask patients about their quality of life after a heart procedure called catheter ablation. This procedure treats a fast, dangerous heartbeat known as ventricular tachycardia (VT) in people who have an implanted heart device (ICD). The main goal is to see if regular feedback from patients can give doctors a better idea of how well the treatment works and if it's good value for money. Currently, this type of patient feedback isn't always collected, and the study wants to see if doing so more often can help us understand patients' journeys better after this important heart treatment.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Imagine you have a special device, called an ICD, implanted in your chest to help control a fast and dangerous heart rhythm called ventricular tachycardia, or VT. Sometimes, doctors recommend a procedure called catheter ablation to help reduce these fast heartbeats. This procedure can help you feel better, reduce hospital visits, and lower the number of times your ICD has to deliver a shock, which can be upsetting.
Doctors want to understand not just if a treatment fixes a problem, but also how it affects your daily life and well-being. This is where this study comes in. It's looking into whether asking patients frequently about their health and how they feel (their 'quality of life') can give us a clearer picture of how successful the catheter ablation procedure really is. This includes whether it's truly making a difference to your life and whether it's a good use of healthcare resources.
Currently, this kind of regular personal feedback from patients isn't always collected in detail in all studies. This research aims to find out if taking the time to ask you more often about your health and how you're feeling can help doctors understand your journey and the treatment's benefits much better. This information can then help them make better decisions for patients like you in the future.
Key takeaways
- The study is about understanding how heart treatments affect patients' daily lives.
- It focuses on people with an ICD and a fast heartbeat (VT).
- Researchers want to use patient feedback to measure treatment success.
- The study takes place at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London.
- Your input could help improve care for future patients.
Who may be eligible?
To be considered for this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 or older.
You must have an implanted heart device (ICD) that was put in at least three months ago, and you should have had previous episodes of a fast heartbeat (VT) that needed your ICD to help. You also need to have some weakness in your heart muscle (either the left or right side).
Finally, you need to be willing and able to understand the study and agree to take part in writing. You wouldn't be able to join if you plan to move away from London within 12 months, especially if you planned to complete questionnaires by post, or if you can't give your informed consent.
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 18 years old or older?
- Do you have an implanted heart device (ICD) placed more than 3 months ago?
- Have you had previous fast heartbeats (VT) that needed your ICD to intervene?
- Do you have some weakness detected in your heart muscle?
- Are you able and willing to sign a consent form for the study?
- Do you plan to stay in the London area for the next 12 months?
What does participation involve?
This is a single-centre study, meaning it's only taking place at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. There's no information provided about specific visits, assessments, medication changes, or follow-up duration beyond the general goal of more frequent quality of life monitoring. The study aims to see the feasibility of collecting this information more often. If you join, it would involve providing regular updates on your health and quality of life, likely through questionnaires.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- St Bartholomew's HospitalVerified postcodeLondon, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Common questions
What is an ICD?
An ICD is a small device placed under your skin, usually below your collarbone, that helps control dangerous fast heart rhythms by delivering electrical pulses or shocks.
What is ventricular tachycardia (VT)?
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a type of fast heartbeat that starts in the lower chambers of your heart (ventricles) and can be life-threatening.
What is catheter ablation?
Catheter ablation is a procedure where doctors use thin, flexible wires (catheters) inserted into blood vessels to create small scars in the heart, blocking the faulty electrical signals that cause fast heartbeats.
What does 'quality of life' mean in this study?
In this study, 'quality of life' refers to how your health condition and treatment affect your daily activities, feelings, and general well-being. It's often measured using special questionnaires.
Will my treatment change if I take part?
The study's goal is to see how well treatments are working, not to change your current medical care. It's about collecting more information about your experience.
How to find out more
Yang Chen, BM BCh
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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