POAFLPa and POAFNCT07737444
Association of Lipoprotein(a) With Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation
An observational study of POAF and Atrial Fibrillation (AF), run by Anthony Tang.
Trial summary
About one in three patients who undergo open-heart surgery develop an irregular heart rhythm called postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). This condition increases the risk of stroke, prolongs hospital stays, and raises the chances of complications and death compared with patients who do not develop it. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- POAF, Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2026to 1 Sep 2028
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Patients undergoing elective and urgent cardiac surgery with no history of persistent atrial fibrillation.
Who may be able to join
- Age ≥18 years
- Scheduled for elective or urgent CABG, valve replacement, or combined CABG and valve replacement
- Willing to wear the Skiin chest band for the duration of the study
- Have a smartphone with an Operating System compatible with the
- Skiin Connected Life App (Android 9+ or iOS 13+)
Who cannot join
- Emergency indication for CABG, valve replacement, or combined CABG and valve replacement
- Prior cardiac surgery
- History of pre-operative persistent atrial fibrillation
About this study
About one in three patients who undergo open-heart surgery develop an irregular heart rhythm called postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). This condition increases the risk of stroke, prolongs hospital stays, and raises the chances of complications and death compared with patients who do not develop it. Because of these serious outcomes, researchers are working to identify which patients are most at risk.
One potential blood marker is lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a). Higher levels of Lp(a) have been linked to abnormal heart rhythms in previous studies. We want to determine whether patients with elevated Lp(a) are more likely to develop POAF after heart surgery and better understand the biological mechanisms behind this risk.
Read more
In this study, patients will be grouped based on whether they have high or low Lp(a) levels. All participants will wear a chest band monitor that continuously tracks heart rhythm for 3 months after surgery to detect POAF. During surgery, small tissue samples from the heart will also be collected. By examining these samples, we will assess whether patients with elevated Lp(a) show more scarring and inflammation which are two pathways known to cause abnormal heart rhythms.
The goal of this study is to determine whether elevated Lp(a) increases susceptibility to POAF. This could help identify patients who may benefit from preventive treatments and closer monitoring. By understanding how Lp(a) affects heart tissue, we also hope to uncover the mechanisms that contribute to abnormal rhythm and guide the development of future targeted therapies to treat POAF and other heart rhythms.
- Conditions
- POAF, Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
- Keywords
- atrial fibrillation, Lp(a), Inflammation, Fibrosis
- Medical subject headings
- Atrial Fibrillation, Inflammation, Fibrosis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Patients undergoing elective and urgent cardiac surgery with no history of persistent AF. | Not described |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Lp(a) levels and POAF incidence
Incidence of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF), as Detected by Continuous ECG Monitoring, Stratified by Preoperative Lp(a) Level (≥125 nmol/L vs <125 nmol/L)
Measured: 3 months post-operation
Lp(a) Levels and POAF Burden
Total Duration of POAF Episodes During the 3-Month Monitoring Period, Stratified by Preoperative Lp(a) Level (≥125 nmol/L vs <125 nmol/L)
Measured: 3 months post-operation
Secondary outcomes (3)
PAOF burden and atrial fibrosis and inflammation
Histological and Transcriptional Markers of Atrial Fibrosis and Inflammation in Left Atrial Appendage Tissue, Correlated with POAF Incidence and Burden
Measured: Tissue will be collected during surgery
Lp(a) levels and atrial fibrosis and inflammation
Histological and Transcriptional Markers of Atrial Fibrosis and Inflammation in Left Atrial Appendage Tissue, Stratified by Preoperative Lp(a) Level (≥125 nmol/L vs <125 nmol/L)
Measured: Tissue will be collected during surgery
Lp(a) Levels and Serum Inflammatory Markers
Serum Inflammatory Cytokine Levels, as Measured by ELISA, at Baseline, Postoperative Day 1, and Postoperative Day 90, Stratified by Preoperative Lp(a) Level (≥125 nmol/L vs <125 nmol/L)
Measured: Blood will be collected at baseline, day 1 postoperative and day 30 pos-operative
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Jul 2026
- Study start1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Sep 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for POAFStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Anthony Tang
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Anthony Tang, London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07737444
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 128446
- Other IDs
- 128446
- Acronym
- LPa and POAF
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Association of Lipoprotein(a) With Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07737444
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- LPa and POAF / 128446
- Conditions
- POAF, Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
- Keywords
- atrial fibrillation, Lp(a), Inflammation, Fibrosis
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Anthony TangUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Sep 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 30 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
About one in three patients who undergo open-heart surgery develop an irregular heart rhythm called postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). This condition increases the risk of stroke, prolongs hospital stays, and raises the chances of complications and death compared with patients who do not develop it. Because of these serious outcomes, researchers are working to identify which patients are most at risk.
One potential blood marker is lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a). Higher levels of Lp(a) have been linked to abnormal heart rhythms in previous studies. We want to determine whether patients with elevated Lp(a) are more likely to develop POAF after heart surgery and better understand the biological mechanisms behind this risk.
In this study, patients will be grouped based on whether they have high or low Lp(a) levels. All participants will wear a chest band monitor that continuously tracks heart rhythm for 3 months after surgery to detect POAF. During surgery, small tissue samples from the heart will also be collected. By examining these samples, we will assess whether patients with elevated Lp(a) show more scarring and inflammation which are two pathways known to cause abnormal heart rhythms.
The goal of this study is to determine whether elevated Lp(a) increases susceptibility to POAF. This could help identify patients who may benefit from preventive treatments and closer monitoring. By understanding how Lp(a) affects heart tissue, we also hope to uncover the mechanisms that contribute to abnormal rhythm and guide the development of future targeted therapies to treat POAF and other heart rhythms.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Patients undergoing elective and urgent cardiac surgery with no history of persistent AF. | – | – |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Patients undergoing elective and urgent cardiac surgery with no history of persistent atrial fibrillation.
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Age ≥18 years
- Scheduled for elective or urgent CABG, valve replacement, or combined CABG and valve replacement
- Willing to wear the Skiin chest band for the duration of the study
- Have a smartphone with an Operating System compatible with the
- Skiin Connected Life App (Android 9+ or iOS 13+)
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Emergency indication for CABG, valve replacement, or combined CABG and valve replacement
- Prior cardiac surgery
- History of pre-operative persistent atrial fibrillation
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Lp(a) levels and POAF incidence
Time frame: 3 months post-operation
Incidence of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF), as Detected by Continuous ECG Monitoring, Stratified by Preoperative Lp(a) Level (≥125 nmol/L vs <125 nmol/L)
Lp(a) Levels and POAF Burden
Time frame: 3 months post-operation
Total Duration of POAF Episodes During the 3-Month Monitoring Period, Stratified by Preoperative Lp(a) Level (≥125 nmol/L vs <125 nmol/L)
3 secondary outcomes
PAOF burden and atrial fibrosis and inflammation
Time frame: Tissue will be collected during surgery
Lp(a) levels and atrial fibrosis and inflammation
Time frame: Tissue will be collected during surgery
Lp(a) Levels and Serum Inflammatory Markers
Time frame: Blood will be collected at baseline, day 1 postoperative and day 30 pos-operative
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Aug 2026.
Related trials for POAF
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The DefiPace Study
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of POAF and Atrial Fibrillation (AF), run by Anthony Tang.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Lp(a) levels and POAF incidence (time frame: 3 months post-operation). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Aug 2026.