MedPath

Individualized Approach vs. Fixed Approach

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Interventions
Procedure: Catheter ablation
Registration Number
NCT03747263
Lead Sponsor
University of Luebeck
Brief Summary

The purpose of the current study is to assess differences regarding the acute efficacy, safety, procedural duration, radiation exposure and long-term success of the novel AFA-Pro in combination of an individualized shortened ablation protocol containing a reduced freezing time to the standard approach of a fixed ablation protocol in patients with symptomatic PAF.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age ≥18 years
  • The patient understands the nature of the study, treatment procedure and provides written informed consent
  • Symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as defined by the current guidelines
  • Willing to comply with specified pre-, post- and follow-up testing, evaluations and requirements
  • Expected to remain available (geographically stable) for at least 12 months after enrollment
Exclusion Criteria
  • Atrial fibrillation secondary to a reversible cause or of non-cardiac origin
  • Previous AF ablation procedure
  • Longstanding persistent AF
  • Documented left atrial thrombus on imaging (e.g., transesophageal echocardiogram, angiogram)
  • NYHA functional Class IV heart failure
  • Unstable angina
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction < 30%
  • Valvular disease requiring interventional treatment
  • Cardiac surgery within 3 months prior to enrolment
  • Left atrial size > 55 mm as measured in the parasternal antero-posterior view
  • Uncontrolled bleeding, diathesis, coagulopathy or pro-coagulant state
  • Active systemic infection or sepsis
  • Other co-morbid condition(s) that could limit the participant's ability to participate in the study or to comply with follow-up requirements, or impact the scientific integrity of the study.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Individual Freeze-Catheter ablationCatheter ablationThe individualized "time-to-effect" protocol utilizing the AFA-Pro applies a freeze-cycle until documentation of PVI based on continuous real-time recordings from the Achieve catheter inside the PV. After documentation of PVI the freeze-cycle is prolonged for additional 90 seconds. If no PVI is achieved after 90 seconds or a temperature of -\<30° is not reached after 40 seconds the freeze cycle is stopped, the cryoballoon will be repositioned to possibly achieve a better position. Afterwards the freeze-cycle will be restarted. If no real-time PV signal recording can be obtained, a standard freeze-cycle of 180 seconds is applied. No bonus-freeze-cycle is applied in this protocol.
Fixed Freeze-Catheter ablationCatheter ablationThe fixed-freeze-cycle protocol utilizing the AFA-Pro comprises a fixed freeze-cycle duration of 180 seconds. If PVI is not achieved with the first freeze-cycle, another 180 seconds freeze-cycle will be applied until documented PVI. After PVI no bonus freeze-cycle is applied.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Freedom from documented atrial tachyarrhythmia (every documented episode of atrial tachyarrhythmia lasting >/=30 seconds will be count as recurrence.Month 12

The primary endpoint of the current study is freedom from documented atrial tachyarrhythmia (\>/=30 seconds) documented by ECG 4-12 months after PVI off antiarrhythmic drugs. Atrial tachyarrhythmias comprise AF as well as atrial tachycardia and atrial flutter.

Holter-ECGs as well as 12-lead ECGs will be conducted. Every epsiode of documented atrial tachyarrhythmia (\>/=30 seconds)outside the blanking period will count as "recurrence".

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Acute procedure successDay 0

Acute procedure success defined as the ability to confirm electrical isolation of the individual pulmonary vein with a circular mapping catheter (achieve catheter). Acute procedure success will be defined as pulmonary vein isolation of all target pulmonary veins.

Pulmonary vein isolation will be detected by entrance block (absence of a pulmonary vein signal) on the circular mapping catheter.

Radiation exposure of patient and operatorDay 0

Radiation exposure of patient and operator (Gy/cm2)

Number of freeze-cycles to achive pulmonary vein isolation.Day 0

Number (n=x) of freeze-cycles to achive pulmonary vein isolation. For each PV the number of the freeze-cycles will be counted.

Procedure durationIntraoperative

Procedure time (minutes)

Duration of freeze-cycles to achive pulmonary vein isolationDay 0

Duration of freeze-cycles to achive pulmonary vein isolation (n=x)

Radiation exposure durationDay 0

Radiation exposure duration (minutes)

Periprocedural complicationsDay 0

Periprocedural complications (e.g. phrenic nerve injury, cardiac tamponade, groin injury etc.)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Heart Center Luebeck, Electrophysiology

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Luebeck, Germany

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