Clinical trial Recruiting at 3 sites Interventional Ages 18 to 75

Investigating Atrial Fibrosis in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Official title: Atrial Fibrosis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients: A Pilot Study

Run by Tulane University · NCT04814420 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is trying to see if people with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to develop atrial fibrosis compared to those without the condition.

More Atrial Fibrillation trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
Enrollment60 (estimated)
SponsorTulane University
Academic / other
Locations3 sites (New Orleans, Louisiana and 2 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJuly 12, 2021
Main results expectedNovember 2026
Study endsNovember 2026
Registry record updatedJune 15, 2026
Trial IDNCT04814420 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include adults aged 18-75 with mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea confirmed by polysomnography, as well as controls without OSA or atrial fibrillation.

Probably not a fit

Patients with significant comorbidities affecting cardiac health or those with a prior diagnosis of atrial fibrillation may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This pilot study aims to explore the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the development of atrial fibrosis. It will involve 60 patients with varying degrees of OSA and 5 control subjects, all of whom will undergo delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) to assess the presence of atrial fibrosis. The study will collect demographic data, medical history, and previous polysomnography results to confirm OSA diagnoses. The goal is to determine if OSA is an independent risk factor for atrial fibrosis in patients without a history of atrial fibrillation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to better understanding and management of atrial fibrosis in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

How similar studies have gone: While the relationship between OSA and atrial fibrosis is being explored, this specific approach using DE-MRI in this context is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Group A: 10 patients 18-75-year-old With mild OSA (5\<AHI\<15), confirmed by polysomnography. No previous AF diagnosis on the medical chart

Group B: 10 patients 18-75-year-old With moderate OSA (15\<AHI\<30), confirmed by polysomnography. No previous AF diagnosis on the medical chart

Group C: 10 patients 18-75-year-old With severe OSA (AHI\>30), confirmed by polysomnography. No previous AF diagnosis on the medical chart

Group D (mild OSA+ AF): 10 patients 18-75-year-old With mild OSA (5\<AHI\<15), confirmed by polysomnography. Previous AF diagnosis

* In this group, patients with AF and OSA who already have done MRI might be included.

Group E (severe OSA +AF): 10 patients 18-75-year-old With severe OSA (AHI\>30), confirmed by polysomnography. Previous AF diagnosis

\*In this group, patients with AF and OSA who already have done MRI might be included.

Group F (Control): 10 Patients 18-75-year-old No previous OSA and/or AF Diagnosis on the medical chart

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of chronic heart failure (LVEF \< 50%), AF, myocardial infarction, valvular disease.
* Prior cardiac or chest surgery.
* Other advanced pulmonary disease (severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or asthma, pulmonary hypertension) or central sleep apnea.
* Contraindications to DE-MRI (e.g. allergy to gadolinium, pacemakers, defibrillators (ICD's), other devices/implants contraindicated for MRI, glomerular filtration rate \<30 ml/min, etc.).
* Pregnancy.
* Inability to give informed consent.

Where it's running

  • East Jefferson General Hospital
    New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
    Recruiting
  • University Medical Center
    New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
    Recruiting
  • Tulane Doctors - Speciality Care - Napoleon
    New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Amitabh Pandey, MD — Tulane University School of Medicine
  • Study coordinator: Christian Massad, MD
  • Email: cmassad@tulane.edu
  • Phone: 504-988-3072

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.