Personalized computer mapping for atrial fibrillation
Patient-Directed Computational Analysis of Atrial Fibrillation
This project builds easy-to-read computer maps of heart electrical activity to help people with atrial fibrillation and their doctors target treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11264916 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze a large database of recordings from people with atrial fibrillation to create a new, easy-to-interpret mapping method that shows how abnormal heart rhythms are organized. They will combine each patient's electrical data with computer models of their atrial anatomy to run simulations of how heart shape influences rhythm behavior. The work is mainly computational and retrospective, using existing patient recordings and imaging to develop and test the maps. The team aims to produce visual maps that could guide more precise ablation treatments in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with atrial fibrillation who have detailed electrical recordings or heart imaging available and who may be considered for ablation.
Not a fit: People without atrial fibrillation or those who do not have the necessary electrical recording or imaging data are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors target ablation more precisely and lower the chance that atrial fibrillation comes back or causes complications like stroke or heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Prior efforts to target rotational or focal AF sources have shown promise but mixed results, so this mapping approach builds on promising ideas but remains relatively new.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rappel, Wouter-Jan — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Rappel, Wouter-Jan
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.