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Left Atrial Posterior Wall and PV Isolation Using Cryoballoon for Treatment of Persistent AF

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Interventions
Procedure: Standard Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI)
Device: Cryoballoon PVI + Posterior Wall Isolation
Registration Number
NCT04505163
Lead Sponsor
Dignity Health Medical Foundation
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study it to learn whether pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) along with isolation of the posterior left atrial wall (PWI) in the region of the pulmonary venous component will reduce the likelihood of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation at 12 months, after a single ablation procedure, in comparison to PVI alone.

The investigator hypothesizes that the combination of PVI + PWI will result in a significant reduction in recurrence of atrial fibrillation at 12 months after ablation.

Detailed Description

Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation will be enrolled in this multi-center, randomized, prospective, single-blinded study. After catheter ablation (isolation) of the pulmonary veins (PVI) and while still in the cardiac electrophysiology laboratory, all patients will be randomized to either PVI alone or the combination of PVI + posterior left atrial wall isolation (PWI). For patients randomized to PVI, their ablation procedure will be completed at that time. For those patients randomized to PVI + PWI, they will have additional ablation to achieve PWI.

All study patients will have the same follow-up after their ablation procedure, including clinic visits at 3, 6, and 12 months and a heart event monitor for 7-14 days before these visits. An echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) is performed at 6 to 12 months after the ablation. Blood thinners are recommended for two months after ablation and then the need for continued use of blood thinners will be based on individual patient's medical history, stroke risk and the decision of the study doctor. Information about the patients' medical history, heart arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation will be collected during the study which will be analyzed.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
153
Inclusion Criteria
  • Consistent with the current definitions, all patients with Persistent AF must exhibit an episode of continuous AF that is sustained >7 days.
  • Patients must have symptomatic Persistent AF refractory or intolerant to at least one class I or class III antiarrhythmic drug
  • Males and females with an age >18 years undergoing a first-time catheter ablation of AF; prior ablation of a right atrial cardiac arrhythmia (i.e., typical right atrial flutter) is permitted
  • All patients must understand the requirements of the study and be willing to comply with the post-study follow-up requirements
  • Patients must have documented episode of AF greater than 7 days in the year prior to the procedure
Exclusion Criteria
  • History of long-standing persistent AF
  • Any reversible cause of AF (post-operative, thyroid disorder, etc.)
  • Patients with cerebral ischemic events (stroke or transient ischemic attack), myocardial infarction or unstable angina in the previous 2 months
  • Patients with any corrected or uncorrected congenital heart disease
  • Patients with a history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Patients with cardiomyopathy and a left ventricular ejection fraction <40%
  • Congestive heart failure, class IV
  • Left atrial (LA) diameter >55 mm (parasternal long axis view)
  • Patients with left atrial thrombus
  • Women who are known to be pregnant or have had a positive β-HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) test 7 days prior to procedure
  • Patients whose life expectancy is <1 year
  • History of left-sided left atrial ablation (catheter or surgically-based)
  • Mental impairment precluding the patient from providing informed consent or completing appropriate follow-up

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Standard Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI)Standard Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI)Standard cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation alone using the Arctic Front Advance Cryoablation System family of cardiac ablation catheters
Cryoballoon PVI + Posterior Wall IsolationCryoballoon PVI + Posterior Wall IsolationCryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation in conjunction with posterior wall isolation using the Arctic Front Advance Cryoablation System family of cardiac ablation catheters
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
12-month freedom from recurrent atrial fibrillation12 months

Number of participants with recurrent atrial fibrillation following catheter ablation

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
All atrial arrhythmia recurrencesDuring a follow-up period of 12 months

Number of atrial arrhythmia recurrences after the 90-day blanking period

Freedom from cardioversion for recurrent atrial arrhythmiasDuring a follow-up period of 12 months

Electrical or pharmacological cardioversion for treatment of recurrent atrial arrhythmias not required

Change in Canadian Cardiovascular Society Severity of Atrial Fibrillation Scale (CCS-SAF)During a follow-up period of 12 months

Change in CCS-SAF from baseline to 12 months

Left Atrial Diameter (Size) as predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrenceDuring a follow-up period of 12 months

Change in left atrial diameter (in millimeters) following ablation

New York Heart Association Functional Class as predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrenceDuring a follow-up period of 12 months

Change in New York Heart Association Functional Class following ablation

Change in Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life Questionnaire (AFEQT)During a follow-up period of 12 months

Change in AFEQT from baseline to 12 months

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction as predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrenceDuring a follow-up period of 12 months

Change in left atrial ejection fraction (in percentage) following ablation

Multiple procedure successDuring a follow-up period of 12 months

Absence of recurrent atrial arrhythmias after one or more ablation procedure(s)

Relative reduction in atrial fibrillation burdenDuring a follow-up period of 12 months

Reduction in the burden of atrial fibrillation (in percentage) following catheter ablation

Freedom from repeat atrial fibrillation ablationDuring a follow-up period of 12 months

Repeat ablation for atrial fibrillation

Trial Locations

Locations (11)

Brigham and Women's Hospital

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Bethesda North Hospital

🇺🇸

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System

🇺🇸

Sarasota, Florida, United States

UCHealth Medical Center

🇺🇸

Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Mercy General Hospital and Dignity Health Medical Foundation

🇺🇸

Sacramento, California, United States

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Medical Center

🇺🇸

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Tampa Cardiac Specialists

🇺🇸

Tampa, Florida, United States

Nebraska Methodist Hospital-Methodist Physicians Clinic

🇺🇸

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

St. Luke's University Health Network

🇺🇸

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States

Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute & St. David's Medical Center

🇺🇸

Austin, Texas, United States

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