Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of irregular cardiac rhythm (arrhythmia), affecting approximately 3% of the US population. It is a significant risk factor for heart failure, ischemic stroke, and sudden cardiac death. The AF mortality rate is growing globally, and risk factors known to increase the incidence of new onset AF include hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, and COVID-19.
The Need
The mechanisms underlying AF are not well understood. As a consequence, development of new antiarrhythmic drugs has been minimal and current treatments are limited to managing this progressive disease, rather than arresting the underlying pathology. The emphasis of current treatments has been on invasive techniques for radiofrequency or cryo ablation, with a 60%-70% success rate (and frequent need for repeated procedures), as well as new anticoagulant drugs. As such, current treatments merely manage AF symptoms, failing to address its underlying pathology, thereby necessitating more effective therapeutic approaches.
The Technology
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a groundbreaking technology that focuses on protecting the vascular barrier to prevent vascular leak-induced atrial arrhythmias. The inventors have demonstrated that treatment with peptide or small molecule agents targeting gap junction hemichannels or pannexin channels decreased both incidence and duration of VEGF-A-induced arrhythmias. By targeting these channels, the technology aims to mitigate AF initiation secondary to acute inflammation, thus potentially revolutionizing AF treatment.
Benefits/Advantages
• Addresses the underlying pathology of AF
• Offers a promising avenue for the development of targeted antiarrhythmic therapies
• Could lead to significant improvements in patient outcomes and quality of life
• Provides a more comprehensive treatment strategy beyond symptom management
• Potential to revolutionize the field of cardiology by offering novel therapeutic interventions

Patents
Pending patent applications in US and Europe