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Catheter Ablation vs. Medical Therapy in Congested Hearts With AF

Phase 4
Terminated
Conditions
Left Ventricular Failure
Congestive Heart Failure
Atrial Fibrillation
Interventions
Device: Catheter Ablation
Drug: FDA approved anti arrhythmic drug
Registration Number
NCT02686749
Lead Sponsor
Oussama Wazni
Brief Summary

This study is a multi-center, randomized, unblinded, clinical trial. The objective is to determine if catheter-based atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is superior to medical treatment in patients with impaired left ventricular (LV) function who have been diagnosed with symptomatic AF within the past 12 months.

Detailed Description

The purpose of the trial is to compare two different approved treatments for recently diagnosed AF: anti-arrhythmic medications and AF ablation. The study will be conducted to determine if one treatment is more effective than the other for patients with AF and heart failure. About 220 subjects with newly diagnosed AF from hospitals in the United States will take part in this study. Subjects will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to either AF catheter ablation or anti-arrhythmic medication for treatment of AF. Both therapies are considered Standard of Care.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
220
Inclusion Criteria
  • must be 18 years of age or older
  • Provide signed written Informed Consent
  • symptomatic AF documented by EKG or heart rhythm monitoring within 12 months
  • patients should be on optimal medical therapy for heart failure for 3 months prior to randomization. Adjustments to medications within this 3 month period are permitted.
  • chronically impaired LV function defined as EF between 20%-45% within last 3 months
  • all patients should be on an optimal therapy for impaired LV function
  • ability to complete 6 minute walk test
  • eligible for catheter ablation and anti-arrhythmic drugs
Exclusion Criteria
  • women of childbearing potential unless post- menopausal or surgically sterile
  • patients hospitalized for heart failure within the 3 months prior to randomization
  • reversible causes of AF such as pericarditis, thyroid disorders, acute alcohol intoxication, recent major surgical procedures or trauma
  • recent reversible LV impairment that may be attributed to AF with rapid ventricular response and may improve with introduction of rate control
  • valvular heart disease requiring surgical intervention
  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) requiring surgical or percutaneous intervention
  • early post-operative AF (within 3 months of surgery)
  • previous MAZE or left atrial instrumentation (including ablation and left atrial appendage exclusion)
  • history of Atrioventricular Node (AVN) ablation
  • hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • prolonged QT interval
  • liver failure
  • renal failure requiring dialysis
  • social factors that would preclude follow up or make compliance difficult- history of drug, alcohol or substance abuse
  • contraindications to the use of AADs and/or anticoagulation therapy
  • Currently enrolled in, or discontinued within the last 30 days from a clinical trial involving an investigational product or non-approved use of a drug or device or concurrently enrolled in any other type of medical research judged not to be scientifically or medically compatible with this study.
  • severe pulmonary disease
  • documented intra-atrial thrombus, tumor, or structural abnormality which precludes catheter introduction
  • unwilling to comply with protocol requirements or deemed by the investigator to be unfit for the study.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
AF catheter AblationCatheter AblationPulmonary Vein Isolation catheter ablation for treatment of AF. AF catheter ablation is an FDA approved treatment for AF
FDA approved anti arrhythmic drugFDA approved anti arrhythmic drugFDA approved anti arrhythmic drug for the treatment of AF will be based on treating physicians' preference in accordance to guidelines.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
First hospitalization for heart failure, recurrence of AF or Direct Current cardioversion12 months

Time measured in days to first hospitalization for heart failure, recurrence of AF or Direct Current cardioversion after the treatment period (first 3 months post enrollment or post procedure during which repeat ablation can be performed and titration of AADs can be performed).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Distance walked in a 6-mile walk test3 months through 15 months

change in distance walked in 6 mile walk test

Change in Ejection Fraction (EF)baseline through15 months

Change in Ejection Fraction heart failure measurement (percentage)

Total number of cardiovascular hospitalization15 months

total number of cardiovascular hospitalization measured by hospitalization admissions

Change in the Rand 36-Item Health Survey3 months through 15 months

change in the Rand 36-Item Health Survey reflective of change in patient's quality of life

Time to recurrence if AF lasting longer than 30 seconds15 months

time measured in days to recurrence of AF lasting longer than 30 seconds

Trial Locations

Locations (6)

Hartford Hospital

🇺🇸

Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Cleveland Clinic Akron General

🇺🇸

Akron, Ohio, United States

Cleveland Clinic

🇺🇸

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

University of Utah

🇺🇸

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

🇺🇸

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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