Heart nerve triggers and drivers of atrial fibrillation
Cardiac Autonomic Activation In Atrial Fibrillation Triggers And Substrate
This work looks at how nerve signals around the heart may trigger and keep atrial fibrillation in adults having catheter ablation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11293430 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have AF and are scheduled for catheter ablation, doctors will record nerve activity from small nerve clusters on your heart and collect blood from the atrial circulation using a route called the vein of Marshall. The team will measure nerve signals and chemicals such as Substance P, and compare changes during events like apnea. New percutaneous tools will allow direct recordings from the ganglionated plexi while the ablation procedure is underway. The goal is to identify nerve-based mechanisms that could be targeted to reduce AF recurrence.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (21+) with atrial fibrillation who are scheduled for catheter ablation at the Houston center.
Not a fit: People without atrial fibrillation, those not undergoing catheter ablation, or patients whose AF is driven mainly by structural heart disease may not benefit from this nerve-focused approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to safer, more focused treatments that target heart nerves to prevent or reduce atrial fibrillation.
How similar studies have performed: Prior smaller studies and the team's early patient data link nerve activity to AF and show elevated Substance P, but sampling via the vein of Marshall and targeted neuromodulation remain relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Methodist Hospital Research Institute — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Valderrabano, Miguel — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Valderrabano, Miguel
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.