Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in humans. Histopathological studies of persistent AF have reported extracellular matrix remodeling with fibrotic infiltration which may cause atrial dilation. The degree of the fibrosis might have a significant impact on wave propagation during AF. The main objective of the present project is to develop an imaging-based tool to determine the origin and cause of persistent AF. The obtained clinical parameters of patients and controls (electrocardiography, ecocardiography and MR imaging data) will be correlated with known markers in order to identify novel markers for AF diagnosis.
The main objective of the present project is to develop an imaging-based tool to determine the origin and cause of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). The result of the study is a diagnostic method which aids the medical work-up of patients suffering from this disease.