RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

CArdioSurgEry Atrial Fibrillation Register

This study, called CASE AF, is looking into the real-world care of patients who have surgery for a common irregular heartbeat condition called atrial fibrillation. The main goal is to understand important things about this surgery. Researchers want to know why doctors decide to do this surgery, how often certain surgical techniques are used, and if any other procedures are done at the same time. They will also carefully track how safe the surgery is, both during the operation and many years later. Finally, they'll see how effective the surgery is at stopping the irregular heartbeat and what other medications people take afterwards. This helps improve care for future patients.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Stiftung Institut fuer Herzinfarktforschung

Enrolment target

2,000

Start

01 Jan 2017

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2029

Atrial Fibrillation

What is this study about?

This study, called CASE AF, is all about understanding the care of people who have a common heart condition called atrial fibrillation (often shortened to AF). AF causes your heart to beat irregularly and can lead to serious problems like strokes. One way to treat AF is through a special heart operation called cardiac surgical ablation. This surgery aims to correct the irregular heartbeat.

The researchers want to get a clear picture of what really happens when patients in the UK have this type of surgery. They're asking several important questions. For example, why do doctors choose this specific surgery for certain patients? They also want to know how often different surgical methods are used and if another common procedure, which involves a small part of the heart called the left atrial appendage, is done at the same time.

Another key part of the study is looking at how safe and effective the surgery is. This means checking for any problems that might happen during or soon after the operation, as well as how patients are doing many years later. They will also track how well the surgery works to stop AF and if the irregular heartbeat comes back. Finally, the study will explore what other medicines patients are taking after their surgery. All this information will help doctors understand and improve the care for people with AF who need this surgery.

Key takeaways

This study helps doctors understand heart surgery for atrial fibrillation.
It collects information about safety and how effective the surgery is.
It also looks at what other medicines patients take after surgery.
Participation involves sharing medical information from your standard care.
Your experience helps improve care for future patients with AF.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you would need to be an adult, aged between 18 and 100 years old. Both men and women can join.

The most important thing is that you have atrial fibrillation, which is a specific type of irregular heartbeat. You also need to have recently had, or be planning to have, a heart operation called cardiac surgical ablation to treat your atrial fibrillation.

If you don't want to take part in the study, that's perfectly fine, and you wouldn't be included. This study is generally for people who have already decided to have this type of heart surgery.

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 atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat)?
Have you recently had, or are you planning to have, cardiac surgical ablation for your atrial fibrillation?
Are you comfortable with researchers using your medical information for study purposes?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is mainly about collecting information from your medical records and during your regular appointments. You wouldn't need to take any new medications or have extra medical procedures just for this study. The researchers will gather details about your diagnosis, the type of surgery you had for atrial fibrillation, how you recover in hospital, and what medications you take afterwards. They will also follow your health over a longer period, gathering information from your follow-up appointments to see how well the surgery worked and if your atrial fibrillation returns. The total duration of your involvement would depend on how long the researchers choose to follow patients, which could be several years.

Potential risks and benefits

Because this study primarily involves collecting information from your existing medical records and routine follow-up appointments, there are no direct extra risks from taking part. You won't be given any new treatments or asked to do anything differently for your medical care. The potential benefit is that the information gathered from your experience and the experiences of others will help doctors understand and improve care for future patients with atrial fibrillation who need this surgery. You are, of course, free to change your mind and withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (3)

Klinikum Bogenhausen
Verified postcode
München, Germany· Recruiting
Asklepios Harburg
Verified postcode
Hamburg, Germany· Not yet recruiting
Schüchtermann Kliniken
City only
Bad Rothenfelde, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common condition where the heart beats in an irregular and often fast rhythm, which can sometimes lead to problems like strokes.

What is cardiac surgical ablation?

It's a type of heart operation designed to correct the irregular heartbeat seen in atrial fibrillation by creating tiny scars on the heart tissue to block faulty electrical signals.

Do I have to take part if I meet the criteria?

No, absolutely not. Taking part in any research study is always completely your choice, and you can say no without affecting your medical care.

Will I get any special treatment in this study?

This study is about observing and collecting information about the standard care you receive. You won't get any special treatments or medications just for being in the study.

How long will the study follow me?

The study will gather information from your medical records and regular follow-up appointments for a longer period of time, possibly several years, to see how you are doing after your surgery.

How to find out more

Belgin Özdemir

oezdemir@stiftung-ihf.de 00496215032888 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.