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Acute Cardioversion Versus Wait And See-approach for Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation in the Emergency Department

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Atrial Fibrillation
Interventions
Drug: Pharmacological cardioversion - Flecainide
Procedure: Electrical cardioversion
Drug: Pharmacological cardioversion - Amiodarone
Registration Number
NCT02248753
Lead Sponsor
Maastricht University Medical Center
Brief Summary

A symptomatic episode of the heart rhythm disorder 'atrial fibrillation' (AF) is a frequent reason for visits to the emergency department. Currently, in the majority of cases, immediate (electrical or pharmacological) cardioversion is chosen, while atrial fibrillation terminates spontaneously in 70% of the cases within 24 hours. A wait-and-see approach with rate-control medication only, and when needed cardioversion within 48 hours of onset of symptoms, could be effective, safe and more cost-effective than current standard of care and could lead to a higher quality of life.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
437
Inclusion Criteria
  • ECG with atrial fibrillation at the emergency department
  • Heart rate > 70bpm
  • Symptoms most probable due to atrial fibrillation
  • Duration of symptoms < 36 hours
  • > 18 years of age
  • Able and willing to sign informed consent
  • Able and willing to use MyDiagnostick
Exclusion Criteria
  • Signs of myocardial infarction on ECG
  • Hemodynamic instability (systolic blood pressure < 100mm Hg, heart rate > 170 bpm)
  • Presence of pre-excitation syndrome
  • History of Sick Sinus Syndrome
  • History of unexplained syncope
  • History of persistent AF (episode of AF lasting more than 48 hours)
  • Acute heart failure
  • Currently enrolled in another clinical trial
  • Deemed unsuitable for participation by attending physician

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Standard CarePharmacological cardioversion - FlecainidePharmacological cardioversion and/or electrical cardioversion
Standard CarePharmacological cardioversion - AmiodaronePharmacological cardioversion and/or electrical cardioversion
Standard CareElectrical cardioversionPharmacological cardioversion and/or electrical cardioversion
Wait-and-see ApproachVerapamilRate control drugs only (metoprolol, verapamil or digoxin)
Wait-and-see ApproachMetoprololRate control drugs only (metoprolol, verapamil or digoxin)
Wait-and-see ApproachDigoxinRate control drugs only (metoprolol, verapamil or digoxin)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
12-lead ECG4 weeks

Presence of sinus rhythm on ECG

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quality of life (SF-36)Baseline, 4 weeks, 6 months, 12 months
One-year follow-up of Major Adverse Cerebrovascular or Cardiovascular EventsOne year
Time to first recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation1 month

Monitoring through handheld device

Total health care and societal costs1 year
Quality of Life (AFEQT)Baseline, 4 weeks, 6 months, 12 months
Time to conversion to sinus rhythm (Holter monitor)48 hours

Intervention group only

Trial Locations

Locations (15)

VU University Medical Center

🇳🇱

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Antonius Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Sneek, Netherlands

University Medical Center Groningen

🇳🇱

Groningen, Netherlands

Amphia Hospital

🇳🇱

Breda, Netherlands

Catharina Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Eindhoven, Netherlands

Medisch Spectrum Twente

🇳🇱

Enschede, Netherlands

Alrijne Hospital

🇳🇱

Leiderdorp, Netherlands

Maastricht University Medical Center

🇳🇱

Maastricht, Netherlands

Zuyderland Medical Center

🇳🇱

Heerlen, Netherlands

Diakonessenhuis

🇳🇱

Utrecht, Netherlands

St. Antonius Hospital

🇳🇱

Nieuwegein, Netherlands

Franciscus Gasthuis

🇳🇱

Rotterdam, Netherlands

VieCuri Medical Center

🇳🇱

Venlo, Netherlands

HagaZiekenhuis

🇳🇱

The Hague, Netherlands

St. Elisabeth - TweeSteden Hospital

🇳🇱

Tilburg, Netherlands

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