A Note from the Principle Investigator

One in four Americans will develop atrial fibrillation (AF), an abnormal heart rhythm which subjects people to a four-fold increase in the risk of stroke and a reduction in life expectancy. Funded by Ohio's Third Frontier Program, the Atrial Fibrillation Innovation Center (AFIC) is a unique consortium of key Ohio academic institutions and corporate partners working together to complete two missions: (1) engage in a multidisciplinary assault on AF, and (2) stimulate economic development in Ohio through these efforts. At the time of its creation, AFIC was the largest Wright Center of Innovation in the state's history.

Today, AFIC is investigating AF through five related and complementary groups of projects. Basic Research initiatives have identified the importance of genetics and inflammation in the pathogenesis of AF, and working with SignaLife, Inc. and PrognostiX, are exploring strategies for integrating this new knowledge into patient treatment strategies. Pre-clinical investigations in our Novel Studies section have confirmed that neural input has a regulatory role in AF, leading to work with BioControl to develop medical devices that can modulate specific components of the nervous system and control AF. Electrophysiology Studies take place in AFIC's state-of-the-art pre-clinical facility; these include development and assessment of several key advances in cardiac imaging and ablation catheters, together improving the safety and effec- tiveness of catheter-based ablation. Surgical Studies focus on three key areas: (1) development of a left atrial appendage occlusion device for stroke prevention, which has moved from concept to first-in-man application, (2) advanced epicardial mapping systems, with attendant development of new software and hardware, and (3) research into minimally invasive robotic approaches to AF treatment. Finally, investigators in Outcomes Studies have developed new mathematical and database techniques to organize and evaluate clinical data, essential steps in our quest to assess new treatments.

The blend of academic investigators and corporate partners is critical to the mission and success of AFIC. Research initiatives are led by investigators from the Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University, and the University of Cincinnati. Research and development projects are undertaken in collaboration with corporate partners (listed on pages 4 and 5 herein) with the goal of creating diagnostic and therapeutic options produced by industry to combat AF in patients in Ohio and beyond. With this structure established by the State of Ohio, key partnerships between academic institutions and industry are ensured, enhancing and speeding development, and contributing to economic development in Ohio.

AFIC has made great strides in the first 18 months, pioneering new approaches to AF that are now being applied in patients. However, by its nature AFIC is an entity that is always in evolution. As scientific knowledge advances and new technology emerges, we remain flexible, constantly evaluating our efforts and shifting direction as additional opportunities become apparent. A strategic imperative, consideration of new ideas and approaches is fundamental to the AFIC mission; we are always prepared to accept new directions and partners in our assault on AF.

Sincerely,

A. Marc Gillinov, M.D.
P.I. – AFIC