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Treatment Strategy of Vasovagal Syncope

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Syncope, Vasovagal
Interventions
Procedure: Cardioneuroablation
Registration Number
NCT05803148
Lead Sponsor
China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases
Brief Summary

This is a prospective, international multi-center, open-labeled, randomized trial.

The investigator speculated that CNA prevents more patients with moderate to severe VVS from syncope recurrence compared to midodrine.

Detailed Description

Nearly 40% of people faint at least once in their life, and vasovagal syncope (VVS) is the most common cause. Study shows that VVS accounts for 66% of syncope in the Emergency Room. The early peak incidence is around 15 years for young women and a later significant rise in visits for both sexes over the age of 65 years. Patients with frequent syncope have a markedly reduced quality of life, similar to that of patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis or chronic low back pain.

Vasovagal syncope is characterized by paroxysmal hypotension and/or bradycardia. Multiple hypotheses have been suggested as the mechanism of VVS, hence the treatment was diverse. The current therapy suggested by guidelines includes diet, counter-pressure maneuvers, beta-blockers, fludrocortisone, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, midodrine, and permanent pacemakers.

Cardioneuroablation (CNA) which modified the cardiac autonomic nervous system through catheter ablation shows encouraging results in preventing syncope recurrence. Experience from our center also suggested that CNA was highly effective, with a syncope-free rate of nearly 80% for 4-year follow-up; however, the studies were non-randomized with no control group. A recent single-center randomized control study has reported that CNA was superior to non-pharmacology therapy for syncope prevention. The investigators are hereby willing to compare the effectiveness of CNA to drug therapy in a multi-center randomized control fashion.

The objective of this trial is to determine the role of CNA and midodrine therapy in the prevention of syncope recurrence in patients with vasovagal syncope and provide evidence for clinical treatment strategies. Participants will be randomized to either CNA plus patient education (diet, avoidance trigger, physical counter-pressure maneuvers) or midodrine therapy plus patient education. Randomization will be carried out with interactive web response system stratified by center.

The participants were followed up at 7 days, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months respectively after ablation procedure, to observe whether there were recurrent syncope and /or pre-syncope (including the time and frequency of recurrent syncope, inducing factors, and whether complicated with fall injury, etc.), and to reassessed tilt test, 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram and fill in Euroqol (EQ-5D) and ISQL quality of life score form. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cardiac nerve ablation in the prevention of refractory vasovagal syncope. The tilt test, the changes of vagus nerve function and the improvement of quality of life before and after were analyzed and compared.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
184
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Age ≥ 18 years of age
  2. Calgary Syncope Symptom Score ≥ -2 points
  3. Positive response to head-up tilt test
  4. With syncope episodes more than 3 times in the preceding year
  5. A proven failure of non-pharmacologic treatment, including reassurance regarding the benign prognosis, education about the avoidance of situations and triggers initiating syncope, application of PCM during the occurrence of prodromal symptoms, and lifestyle modifications(adequate fluid intake and salt supplementation), according to the guideline
  6. Willingness to comply with follow-up requirements and to sign the informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Complied with other causes of syncope, including postural hypotension, aortic stenosis, sick sinus node syndrome, high-grade atrioventricular block, ventricular arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, transient ischemic attack, epilepsy, sequelae of cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage, subclavian vein steal syndrome and drug-induced syncope.
  2. Complied with congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and diabetes.
  3. History of cardiac catheter ablation, peacemaker implantation and cardiac surgery.
  4. History of midodrine usage, or compiled with contradiction of midodrine, including urine retention, hypertension (Bp≥140/90mmHg), glaucoma, renal dysfunction.
  5. Life expectancy <1 year for any medical condition
  6. Pregnancy or breast-feeding

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Control group: MidodrineMidodrine Oral TabletIn this arm, Midodrine will be applied without the following contraindications: hypertension, chromaffin cell carcinoma, acute nephritis, severe renal dysfunction, glaucoma, prostatic hyperplasia with urinary retention, mechanical urinary obstruction, hyperthyroidism. Patient education includes fully informing patients of the benign prognosis of vasovagal syncope, and educating patients to avoid triggering factors as much as possible. At the same time, the patient should be taught how to cope with the impending syncope with physical counter-pressure maneuvers and dietary suggestions that emphasize fluid and sodium intake.
Experimental group: CardioneuroablationCardioneuroablationIn this arm, the catheter ablation of the GPs will be performed in the order of LSGP, LIGP, RIGP, left atrial RAGP and right atrial RAGP. Patient education includes fully informing patients of the benign prognosis of vasovagal syncope, and educating patients to avoid triggering factors as much as possible. At the same time, the patient should be taught how to cope with the impending syncope with physical counter-pressure maneuvers and dietary suggestions that emphasize fluid and sodium intake.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of Participants with syncope recurrence during follow-up12 month after randomization

Syncope was defined as a transient loss of consciousness and complete recovery in a very short time.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quality of life measure by Impact of Syncope on Quality of Life(ISQL)questionnaire12 month after randomization

The difference in quality of life between the two groups as compared to baseline by using the standardized ISQL (Impact of Syncope on Quality of Life) questionnaire. The ISQL score was ranged from 0 to 57 points, and higher points represented more severe impaired quality of life.

Results of Head-up tilt test12 month after randomization

The difference in the rate of head-up tilt test induced syncope between the two groups. The positive results of head-upright tilt test were defined by VASIS standard. The examination will be performed at each investigative center.

Blood pressure measured with 24 hours monitoring12 months after ablation procedure

The difference in blood pressure between the two groups as compared to baseline. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were assessed. The device provided to patients prior to discharge or at outpatient visits will be used for this assessment.

Number of Participants with pre-syncope during follow-up12 month after randomization

Pre-syncope was defined as the prodrome before syncope, such as dizziness, sweating,dyspnea, and paleness, and patients did not actually fall down. We documented each time that syncope occurred. The severeity of the prodrome will be assessed with a standardized questionnaire CPF.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College

🇨🇳

Beijing, China

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