Atrial Fibrillation Driver Study

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is an abnormal rhythm of the heart which is increasingly common and can be associated with serious consequences. We know that AF is associated with an increase in the scarring of the heart, the left atrium and it is thought that this scarring may be one of the drivers for this abnormal heart rhythm. The nature of this scarring in humans has been subject to limited study and generally only by indirect means such as cardiac MRI scans or measuring the voltage of the tissues. During cardiothoracic surgery, tissue from the left atrium is removed as a part of the procedure. This tissue is normally disposed of, but we would propose to consent patients to collect it to allow it to be analysed. Such analysis would examine the composition of the tissue, including the pattern of scarring, to allow us to gain a greater insight into the mechanisms of AF.

Inclusion Criteria:Able to provide informed consent for studyMale or female subjects between 18 and 100 years of age at the time of consent.Thoracic surgical patients either with or without a history of AF undergoing lung resection where an ostial pulmonary vein segment will be excised as part of this resectionCardiac surgical patients with a history of AF where surgical LAA exclusion is planned as part of the procedureExclusion Criteria:Patient unable or unwilling to consentPatient not having ostial pulmonary vein or left atrial appendage tissue excised as part of routine clinical care.