The Effect of Beta-blocker on Chronotropic Response and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Atrial Fibrillation
• Interventions: Drug: Reduced dosage of beta-blocker

• Registration Number: NCT05332457
• Lead Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital

Brief Summary

This is a prospective study to evaluate changes in exercise capacity and chronotropic response to exercise before and after beta-blocker dosage reduction in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Detailed Description

Rate control therapy is the first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Resting heart rate(HR) is the treatment target of rate control therapy in current clinical practice; However, the optimal value for resting heart rate in AF remained unclear. Beta-blocker(BB) is widely used as rate-control agent. It is concerned that excessive use of BB might lead to a negative effect on exercise capacity in patients with AF. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of Beta-blocker on hemodynamic parameters and peak oxygen uptake during cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET).

Basic Information
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Recruitment & Eligibility
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Study & Design
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Trial Locations

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2022-03-01
• Study First Submitted: 2022-04-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-04-10
• Study First Posted: 2022-04-18
• Status Verified: 2023-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-12-25
• Last Update Posted: 2023-12-27
• Primary Completion: 2023-12-31
• Study Completion: 2023-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

1. > 20 years of age.
2. Clinically stable patients with persistent atrial fibrillation using beta-blocker as rate-control agent without dosage adjustment for at least 3 months.
3. Resting heart rate < 80 bpm.
4. Left ventricular ejection fraction > 50%.

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Exclusion Criteria

1. Beta-blocker usage due to indications other than rate control for atrial fibrillation.
2. Inability to perform a cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
3. Presence of contraindications for cardiopulmonary exercise testing according to the American College of Sports Medicine's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription.
4. Patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator or pacemaker.
5. Pregnancy.
6. Inability to provide informed consent.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Arm A	Reduced dosage of beta-blocker	Phase I : Participants will undergo first CPET (Day 0) at trough concentration of BB. After 7-day regular usage of BB, the second CPET(Day 7) will be performed at peak concentration of BB. Participants will enter the second phase if the results of CPET fulfill the pre-determined conditions as follows: (1) Chronotropic index \< 0.8 at peak level of BB, (2) Resting HR \< 110 bpm at trough level of BB, (3) Absent of unstable arrhythmia or unstable hemodynamics during CPET at trough level. Phase II: BB dosage will be reduced. Daily blood pressure, heart rate and adverse event will be recorded. If participants remained clinically stable, the third CPET(Day 21) will be performed 14 days after the reduction of dosage. If participants' resting heart rate exceed 110 bpm, the dosage will be adjusted to the original level.
Arm B	Reduced dosage of beta-blocker	Phase I : Participants will undergo first CPET(Day 0) at peak concentration of BB. After 7-day regular usage of BB, the second CPET(Day 7) will be performed at trough concentration of BB. Participants will enter the second phase if the results of CPET fulfill the pre-determined conditions as follows: (1) Chronotropic index \< 0.8 at peak level of BB, (2) Resting HR \< 110 bpm at trough level of BB, (3) Absent of unstable arrhythmia or unstable hemodynamics during CPET at trough level. Phase II: BB dosage will be reduced. Daily blood pressure, heart rate and adverse event will be recorded. If participants remained clinically stable, the third CPET(Day 21) will be performed 14 days after the reduction of dosage. If participants' resting heart rate exceed 110 bpm, the dosage will be adjusted to the original level.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Peak oxygen intake	The change in peak oxygen uptake will be measured at day 0 , day 7 and day 21.	Peak oxygen intake will be assessed with symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
Chronotropic response to exercise	The change in chronotropic response to exercise will be measured at day 0 , day 7 and day 21.	Plasma norepinephrine level was obtained before and immediately after cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess the relationship of beta-blocker, circulating norepinephrine level and chronotropic response to exercise.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
NT-proBNP	The change in NT-proBNP will be measured at day 0 , day 7 and day 21.	NT-proBNP level will be assessed before and immediate after the cardiopulmonary exercise test.
Quality of life evaluation	The change in SF-36 will be measured at day 0 , day 7 and day 21.	The investigators will assess the change in 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). SF-36 consists of eight domains of health status. The score of each domain ranges from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a better outcome.
European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) symptom scale	The change in European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) score will be measured at day 0 , day 7 and day 21.	The investigators will assess the change in EHRA symptom scale. The EHRA score ranges from 1 to 4. Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms.
Cardiac output and stroke volume	The change in cardiac output and stroke volume will be measured at day 0 , day 7 and day 21.	Cardiac output and stroke volume during incremental exercise testing will be assessed by impedance cardiography.
Cognitive function	The change in MoCA will be measured at day 0 , day 7 and day 21.	The investigators will assess the change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The total score of MoCA ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate better cognitive function.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Taiwan University Hospital; 🇨🇳 Taipei, Taiwan