ClinicalTrials.gg
Status unknownNCT01553045SMURFUpdated Dec 3, 2014

Reasons for Variations in Health Related Quality of Life and Symptom Burden in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

An observational study in Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Heart Failure, Systolic and Atrial Fibrillation, sponsored by University Hospital, Linkoeping. Status unknown at 1 site in Sweden. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2014-12-03.

Sponsored by University Hospital, Linkoeping · Observational

The sponsor has not verified this record recently (last verified Dec 2014), so the status shown — last known as Active, not recruiting — may be out of date.
Study type
Observational
Model
Case-control
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
200
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
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Study summary

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. There is a large variation in symptoms; from almost none to severe but the reason for this is unclear.

The investigators aim to find correlations between symptom burden and intracardiac pressure, biomarkers and findings with echocardiography in order to find alternative means of treatment.

It is even intended to study the neurohormonal activation directly after the atrial fibrillation (AF) initiation in patients eligible for AF radiofrequency ablation.

Read the detailed description

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and more than 1 % of the population suffers from AF, it is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke One major unresolved issue concerning AF is the large variety in symptoms. In some AF is diagnosed accidentally while in others symptoms are severe and disabling.

It is known that B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is stored in nodules in the atrial and ventricular myocytes and is produced in response to increased 'afterload' and 'preload' to restore and maintain cardiovascular homeostasis. Vasopressin (AVP), a non-cardiac plasma marker of cardiovascular disease, is released from the neurohypophysis in response to changes in plasma osmolality and is involved in osmoregulation and cardiovascular homeostasis. Adrenomodullin originates primarily in endothelial cells where cellular stress, ischaemia and hypoxia result in an increased production.

It is well-known that the concentrations of the natriuretic peptides are elevated in patients with AF and that the plasma concentrations decreased after conversion to sinus rhythm (SR). Yet their reaction when AF initiates is totally unknown. Moreover the role of ADM and AVP-hormonal system has not been researched in this category of patients.

Patients scheduled for catheter ablation of AF for the first time will be included; all with symptoms varying from moderate to severe. Using four health related quality of life forms the impact of AF on symptoms will be evaluated. Patients will be investigated with echocardiography, invasive hemodynamics and measurement of the levels of peptide indicators of heart failure and/or impact on myocardial function. Patients will also be categorized according to metabolic profile.

The information on this subject is scarce. Hemodynamic data is old and not correlated to symptoms. Effective and validated means of measuring health related quality of life including symptoms burden are relatively new tools. The aim is to find correlations between the impact on health related quality of life and parameters from echocardiographic measurements, from analysis of biomarkers (peptides) and from analysis of the metabolic profile.

In order to study the response of these four different neurohormonal systems (represented by NT-proBNP, MR-proANP, MR-proADM, copeptin) after the initiation of AF, a randomized interventional clinical sub-study is to be performed where the eligible population of SMURF main study can be randomized to AF induction or to control if freedom from AF is confirmed with thumb-ecg during the last 4 days before ablation. 45 patients are to be included to the sub-study with 2:1 allocation ratio with simple randomization.

If such correlations can be found alternate means for symptoms relief in AF patients can be identified and further ahead implemented in general health care.

The sub-study can give us a better insight on the AF initiation and the activation of different neurohormonal systems, an areas which is not well investigated.

02

Conditions studied

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac
  • Heart Failure, Systolic
  • Atrial Fibrillation

Keywords

  • symptom burden
  • atrial fibrillation
  • biomarkers
  • intracardiac pressures
03

In context

Arrhythmias, Cardiac

915 studies on the registry are indexed under Arrhythmias, Cardiac; 234 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 200 is close to the median of 200 across 426 observational studies indexed under Arrhythmias, Cardiac.

Browse Arrhythmias, Cardiac studies →

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Linkoeping is the lead sponsor of 119 studies on the registry; 15 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

Patients referred for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation for the first time.

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Persistent or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
  • Symptoms of atrial fibrillation
  • Referred for catheter ablation

Sub-study:

Same inclusion criteria as the main study plus

-Freedom from arrhythmia the last four days before radiofrequency ablation.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previous ablation attempts (surgical or catheter ablation)
  • Unstable coronary disease
  • Heart failure (NYHA III-IV)

Sub-study:

Same exclusion criteria as the main study

05

Study design

Observational model
Case-control
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
200 participants (estimated)
Biospecimen retention
Samples without dna

Groups and cohorts

  • atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation

    Patients referred for ablation of atrial fibrillation

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Symptom burden vs. peptide markers for heart failure

    Health related quality of life (HRQOL)and arrhythmia symptom burden vill be evaluated and related to the level of four different peptides: NT-pro-BNP, Copeptin, MR-pro-ADM and MR-pro-AMP. HRQOL will be measured with the aid of Short-Form-36 (SF-36) and an arrhythmia specific questionnaire containing two parts: One part evaluating symptoms and another part evaluating HRQOL. Both parts are validated and compared to "Symptoms Checklist, Frequency and Severity Scale" and SF-36, respectively.

    Time frame: 3 years

  2. Sub-study primary outcome: Levels of four biomarkers in relation to heart rhythm

    The following biomarkers will be evaluated during sinus rhythm and after at least 30 min of induced atrial fibrillation: NT-pro-BNP, Copeptin, MR-pro-ADM and MR-pro-AMP. These biomarkers will also be measured 24 hours after ablation and at follow-up after three months.

    Time frame: 3 years

Secondary outcomes

  1. Levels of NT-proBNP and MR-proANP in different sites of the heart and the effect of radiofrequency ablation in relation to heart rhythm

    The level of the following biomarkers will be evaluated: NT-pro-BNP, Copeptin, MR-pro-ADM and MR-pro-AMP. These biomarkers will also be measured 24 hours after ablation and at follow-up after three months.

    Time frame: 3 years

  2. Levels of copeptin and MR-proADM in different sites of the heart and the effect of radiofrequency ablation

    Time frame: 3 years

  3. The relation between left atrial function and neurohormonal activation in patients with atrial fibrillation eligible for radio frequency ablation

    The left atrial function is to be echocardiographically accessed. LA volumes , ejection fraction but even 2D strain and strain rate of the left atrium are to be measured. Left ventricular function and left atrial appendix function are also to be studied.

    Time frame: 3 years

  4. The effect of radiofrequency ablation on the left atrial and left atrial appendix function

    Time frame: 3 years

  5. Alcohol consumption in a atrial fibrillation population undergoing radio frequency ablation (RFA), the connection between alcohol consumption and quality of life and arrhythmia freedom after RFA

    Analysis of ethyl glucuronide in hair samples of the patients is to be done in order to access the level of alcohol consumption

    Time frame: 3 years

  6. Which factors influence the quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing ablation. Do patients with more symptoms have a greater activation of neurohormonal systems and increase of intracardiac pressures after the initiation of AF

    Time frame: 3 years

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Dept of Cardiology, University Hospital
    Linköping, SE58185, Sweden
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Almroth H, Karlsson LO, Carlhall CJ, Charitakis E. Haemodynamic changes after atrial fibrillation initiation in patients eligible for catheter ablation: a randomized controlled study. Eur Heart J Open. 2023 Oct 31;3(6):oead112. doi: 10.1093/ehjopen/oead112. eCollection 2023 Nov. PubMed 38025650 ↗
  • Charitakis E, Karlsson LO, Papageorgiou JM, Walfridsson U, Carlhall CJ. Echocardiographic and Biochemical Factors Predicting Arrhythmia Recurrence After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation-An Observational Study. Front Physiol. 2019 Oct 2;10:1215. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01215. eCollection 2019. PubMed 31632285 ↗
  • Charitakis E, Barmano N, Walfridsson U, Walfridsson H. Factors Predicting Arrhythmia-Related Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Referred for Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: An Observational Study (the SMURF Study). JACC Clin Electrophysiol. 2017 May;3(5):494-502. doi: 10.1016/j.jacep.2016.12.004. Epub 2017 Mar 1. PubMed 29759606 ↗
  • Charitakis E, Walfridsson H, Nylander E, Alehagen U. Neurohormonal Activation After Atrial Fibrillation Initiation in Patients Eligible for Catheter Ablation: A Randomized Controlled Study. J Am Heart Assoc. 2016 Dec 12;5(12):e003957. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.116.003957. PubMed 27956398 ↗
  • Charitakis E, Walfridsson H, Alehagen U. Short-Term Influence of Radiofrequency Ablation on NT-proBNP, MR-proANP, Copeptin, and MR-proADM in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Data From the Observational SMURF Study. J Am Heart Assoc. 2016 Sep 15;5(9):e003557. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.116.003557. PubMed 27633393 ↗
  • Charitakis E, Walfridsson U, Nystrom F, Nylander E, Stromberg A, Alehagen U, Walfridsson H. Symptom burden, Metabolic profile, Ultrasound findings, Rhythm, neurohormonal activation, haemodynamics and health-related quality of life in patients with atrial Fibrillation (SMURF): a protocol for an observational study with a randomised interventional component. BMJ Open. 2015 Dec 21;5(12):e008723. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008723. PubMed 26692555 ↗
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Dec 3, 2014, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT01553045
Responsible party
Hakan Walfridsson (Associate professor, M.D., University Hospital, Linkoeping) — Principal investigator
First posted
Mar 13, 2012
Start date
Nov 2011
Primary completion
May 2014
Completion
Jun 2015 (estimated)
Last update
Dec 3, 2014

Study contacts

Anna Stromberg, Prof, R.N.
principal investigator · IMH, Dept of Medical and Health Sciences, Linkoping University
Urban Alehagen, Ass prof, MD
principal investigator · IMH, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linkoping University
Fredrik Nystrom, Prof, M.D.
principal investigator · IMH, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linkoping University
Eva Nylander, Prof, M.D.
principal investigator · IMH, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linkoping University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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