Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/R37890/01
Title:	Analysis of characteristics of human atrial fibrillation under clinical conditions
Principal Investigator:	Murray, Professor A
Other Investigators:	Bourke, Dr J P
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	Freeman Group of Hospitals NHS Trust Lund, University of Mortara Rangoni Northwestern University Univ Politecnica DE Valencia
Department:	Clinical and Laboratory Sciences
Organisation:	Newcastle University
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 February 2002	Ends:	31 January 2005	Value (£):	235,986
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Med.Instrument.Device& Equip. Medical science & disease
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Healthcare No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm in which the electrical activation of the atrial) chambers becomes uncoordinated, leading to pumping inefficiency and possible thrombus formation, with increased risk of stroke and death. In the UK, 5% of those over 65 years have atrial) fibrillation. It is usually limited to slowing the average heart rata and to 'thinning' the blood. Some patients receive electrical or drug intervention in an o stop atrial) fibrillation, but there is no practical non-invasive technique for characterising the atrial) rhythm during fibrillation, and hence no of delivering tailored therapy to patients with different atrial rhythm characteristics. A major practical problem is that the atrial electrical signal is w amplitude and is masked by ventricular activity. We have shown in an initial study that it is possible to isolate the atrial electrocardiogram component, making it available for analysis.We now propose to collect 12 lead electrocardiograms from over 200 patients in atrial fibrillation, to develop analysis techniques in collaboration with international teams of Medical Engineers, to establish the variability of these data, to assess the techniques clinically in collaboration with Cardiologists, Electrophysiologists and Surgeons, and finally to develop practical techniques for clinical use and for transfer to the medical device industry. In this project will demonstrate the value of Medical Engineering in an area of current concern to the medical community and public.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk Summary Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:
Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.ncl.ac.uk