Project title:  THE ASSESSMENT OF CARDIAC REMODELING BY ADVANCED IMAGING TECHNIQUES IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Project Director: S.L. dr. Hadareanu Diana Ruxandra

Project Duration: 03.01.2025-31.12.2026

Total Budget: 500.000 lei

Abstract:

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained tachyarrhythmia, posing significant burden to patients, physicians, and healthcare systems worldwide. AF is associated with increased risk of complications, including heart failure and stroke, and AF-induced cardiac remodeling impacts patient prognosis and treatment outcomes. Furthermore, AF recurrence remains high, and identifying more accurate clinical or imaging parameters to predict AF recurrence is an unmet need with paramount importance. Our research project aims to (i) comprehensively assess cardiac remodeling induced by AF by using advanced echocardiography techniques, and its prognostic implications and reversibility after sinus rhythm restoration, (ii) identify key predictors of AF recurrence by a multi-parametric evaluation that includes clinical data, biomarkers, electrocardiography and echocardiography data, and (iii) develop a robust prediction model for AF recurrence that will be validated in an independent cohort, ensuring its accuracy and effectiveness. The results of our project will provide personalized patient care resulting in better patient outcomes, improved quality of life, resource allocation optimization, and reduced healthcare burden and costs, as well as professional growth and academic recognition of the research team members and host institution.