Relationship Between Autonomic Central Nervous System Activation and Atrial Fibrillation Using Functional MRI (fMRI)

The fMRI study is a prospective study with the objective of evaluating the effects of the autonomic central nervous system on the regulation of heart rate in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study will compare a functional MRI (fMRI) scan in patients prior to a direct current cardioversion (DCCV) to a second fMRI scan taken post DCCV. In addition, this study will compare functional MRI (fMRIs) to a control group of heart healthy, age-matched patients who will also receive two fMRI scans spaced about one week apart. Our expectation is that at the end of this study, the investigators will have greater insight into the role of the central nervous system and more specifically the autonomic nervous system in modulating AF. The investigators expect that understanding the interaction between the central nervous system and cardiac arrhythmias will lead to the development of novel therapies that preserve and restore normal sinus rhythm. This study will serve as a pilot study with the goal of obtaining additional grant funding and expanding the study once differences in volumes of activation are demonstrated.