Duke University School of Nursing study seeks atrial fibrillation patients with upcoming catheter ablations

Duke University School of Nursing study seeks atrial fibrillation patients with upcoming catheter ablations

By Mellanie True Hills

March 11, 2014

  • Summary: Duke University School of Nursing research study is seeking participants with upcoming atrial fibrillation catheter ablations

    UPDATED 8-31-14: All slots are filled. Thank you for helping Dr. Wood in her study.

    Our friend, Dr. Kathryn Wood, at Duke University School of Nursing, is conducting a study about afib symptoms and we are helping her connect with patients who may be interested in participating.

    You are eligible to participate if you will be having your first afib catheter ablation between now and August 22, 2014. You will be asked to provide the researchers with information about your symptoms at regular intervals, and will get to wear the wireless Zio®patch cardiac monitor, a water-resistant, bandaid-like monitor that can be worn up to 14 days.

    See below for more information about the study and how you can apply to participate. By participating, you will help provide answers that patients and healthcare professionals need to know.

    Trajectory of AF Symptoms (TAFi Study)

    Seeking Participants for Research Study

    Do you have Atrial Fibrillation (AF)? Are you scheduled for your first AF Catheter Ablation procedure in the next 3 months?  We would like to talk with you before and after your ablation to learn how your symptoms change in the first 6 months after the procedure.

    Purpose

    • Researchers at Duke University School of Nursing are conducting a research study to learn about symptoms that patients experience during AF and how and when those symptoms change after an AF ablation.  We also want to know how patients manage these symptoms after ablation and what techniques are helpful and what are not helpful.
    • Learning more about the symptoms experienced and strategies to manage these symptoms after ablation can help us develop more accurate patient education materials to prepare patients for what to expect after an AF ablation and to test interventions that could also help.

    To be included in this study

    • You must have a diagnosis of AF and be scheduled for your first AF ablation within the next 3 months
    • You must be least 18 years old and willing to participate

    Who is doing this study

    • Dr. Kathryn Wood, Duke University School of Nursing

    Brief Description of the Study

    • There are four interviews — before your ablation, and at 1, 3, and 6 months after your ablation.  Each interview will last 30 minutes and will be audio-recorded, if you agree.
    • You will be asked to complete a short questionnaire before your ablation, and at 1, 3, & 6 months after your ablation.
    • To monitor your cardiac rhythm, you will be asked to wear a small, wireless, bandaid-like Zio®patch cardiac monitor for 10–14 days immediately after your ablation, and additionally at 1, 3, & 6 months after your ablation,
    • You will receive a $15 check after wearing the monitor at each time point (total of $60) as compensation for your time.

    You are not eligible to participate if

    •  You have had a prior AF ablation
    • You have heart failure or other serious heart, lung, or heart valve disease
    • You had heart surgery within the past 6 months
    • You have chest pain some days
    • You had a heart attack within 3 months

    To participate, call 919-684-1811 (leave a message), or click here to email Dr. Wood.