What we are studying
The purpose of this research study is to find out whether the heart condition that will result in you having heart surgery is in part caused by the excess production of a hormone, called angiotensin II, that is produce by the cells of your heart and result, among other things, in causing your heart to beat in an irregular manner. We will accomplish this objective by analyzing the condition of a small piece of the heart tissue, called atrial appendage, that will be removed during the planned operation and that is always discarded at the completion of the surgical procedure.