Exercise MRI to track left atrial function after ablation for atrial fibrillation
EXercise Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Assessment of Left Atrial Mechanics Following Ablation TO Reduce Atrial Fibrillation Burden and Correlation with Exercise CapacitY: EXCLAMATORY Longitudinal Study
We use exercise cardiac MRI to see how the left top chamber of the heart works after catheter ablation in people with atrial fibrillation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11133000 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, doctors will use cardiac MRI while I exercise to measure how my left atrium works during activity rather than only at rest. Imaging will be done before and after catheter ablation and at follow-up visits so researchers can watch changes over time. They will compare MRI findings with my exercise capacity and symptoms to look for signs that predict worsening heart function. The project also supports training the lead investigator in patient-centered exercise imaging techniques.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with atrial fibrillation who are planning to have or recently had catheter ablation and who can safely undergo exercise and MRI would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without atrial fibrillation, those who cannot have an MRI (for example due to incompatible implants or severe claustrophobia), or those unable to exercise are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This could identify exercise-time heart measures that predict who benefits from ablation and help target treatments to prevent heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Cardiac MRI during exercise is an emerging approach and most prior atrial fibrillation imaging has been done at rest, so linking exercise MRI to outcomes after ablation is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Trankle, Cory — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Trankle, Cory
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.