I am considering joining the research study Rhythm Evaluation for Anticoagulation with Continuous Monitoring of Atrial Fibrillation (REACT-AF Study).
After 2 failed ablations, I have been taking the antiarrythmic medication Tikosyn for the last 18 months and have not experienced any afib episodes.I also take 20mg of Xarelto 2x daily. Based on this history, I thought I might be a good reasearch candidate for this study.
Is anyone in this forum participating in this study? Looking for any guidance before committing.

I wouldn't qualify so not participating, but it's definitely a legitimate study sponsored by Johns Hopkins. The study participants will either take an anticoagulant daily or will only take it for 30 days following an afib episode detected by a wearable device. So, basically, they're trying to answer the question of whether having an active afib episode is what causes clots to form or do they form on their own in people with afib even without being in active afib? That's actually a super-important question that needs to be answered, but personally I'd be a bit reluctant to participate in this study. Doctors have long noted that there are a bothersome number of strokes that occur in people with afib who have been in NSR for many months. I'm definitely not saying don't participate, only expressing my personal feelings on it if I were considering it.

I would be fearful if I joined any study where there is a risk of getting either a placebo or limitation of Eliquis knowing there is a risk.

I am abroad but I still participate in cedar Sinai study..actually two. The first one is for a GI disease (I had to have them draw blood) and the other for covid and how it affects my heart. The latter is remote and I get frequent emails asking if I had Covid and if I have any symptoms or new medication and they track my ER visits.

A decade ago I was in a Mt Sinai study of cardiac tests like the effectiveness of Troponin blood test to a new test they were researching.

There was no blind study where I had a risk involved so I was happy to help.

I tried getting on a genetic DNA study for breast cancer (similar to the BRACA) but I couldn’t come in for frequent tests.

I would be fearful if I joined any study where there is a risk of getting either a placebo or limitation of Eliquis knowing there is a risk.

There is no placebo group. Half the participants knowingly take their thinner daily. The other half knowingly follow the PIP thinner protocol.

Jim

It's a legit and important trial spearheaded by Dr. Ron Passman from Chicago. I was interested in participating, but since I am already pretty much following the PIP thinner protocol under the guidance of my ep, I didn't want to randomly end up in the group that remains on daily thinners.

Jim

Quote
mjamesone
It's a legit and important trial spearheaded by Dr. Ron Passman from Chicago. I was interested in participating, but since I am already pretty much following the PIP thinner protocol under the guidance of my ep, I didn't want to randomly end up in the group that remains on daily thinners.

Jim

You can always resume your PIP after the trial ends but this trial may provide more insight benefit.

Yes, but then I would have a 50-50 chance of having to take daily thinners for five years, which I do not want. In any event, the point is mute, because recently I have been put on daily baby aspirin for a non-afib reason and that would exclude me from the trial.

Jim

Do you have a watchman?

I do not have a Watchman. But I may consider one in the future although since my ablation, no afib episodes in over a year.

Jim