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Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation to Prevent Tachyarrhythmias in Patients Early Following Myocardial Infarction

Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
Conditions
Myocardial Infarction
Tachyarrhythmia
Interventions
Device: Parasym device (active, current (mA) < discomfort threshold)
Device: Parasym device (sham, current (mA) = 0)
Registration Number
NCT05750108
Lead Sponsor
Hippocration General Hospital
Brief Summary

Among patients early following ST-segment (ST) elevation myocardial infarction, transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation is associated with a reduce of the burden of premature ventricular contractions in the first 40 days post-myocardial infarction (MI).

The above hypothesis will be tested with a randomized, prospective, parallel, single-blind clinical trial. The expected study duration is approximately 12 months from the time the first subject is enrolled (planned for June 2023) to the time of study's termination date (December 2024). Patient enrollment is planned to take place at two major centers in Greece. The researchers will obtain approval by the institutional review board (IRB).

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  • Male or female patients aged ≥18 years
  • ST-elevation myocardial infarction which is treated with a primary percutaneous coronary intervention
  • Signed written informed consent by the patient for participation in the study and agreement to comply with the medication and the follow-up schedule
Exclusion Criteria

A patient will be excluded from the study if one or more of all the following criteria are present:

  • < 3 months after prior ablation
  • Patients on amiodarone
  • Patients with known thyroid issues, on renal-dialysis
  • Life expectancy of < 12 months
  • Complex congenital heart disease
  • Cardiogenic shock
  • Women who are pregnant (as evidenced by pregnancy test if pre-menopausal)
  • Known channelopathy such as Brugada syndrome, long QT syndrome, or Catecholaminergic monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
  • Symptomatic sinus bradycardia or sinus node dysfunction at baseline without an implantable pacemaker
  • Complete heart block or trifascicular block without an implantable pacemaker
  • Recurrent vasovagal syncope
  • Pre-existing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
  • Secondary prevention indication for an ICD (i.e. sustained ventricular arrhythmias occurring more than 48 hours after qualifying myocardial infarction (patients with ventricular arrhythmias occurring ≤48 hours of myocardial infarction, or with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia at any time, are not excluded))
  • On the heart transplant list
  • Recurrent unstable angina despite revascularisation (defined as ongoing chest pain or ischemic symptoms at rest or with minimal exertion despite adequate treatment with anti-anginal medications)
  • Congestive heart failure New York Heart Association class IV, defined as shortness of breath at rest, which is refractory to medical treatment (not responding to treatment)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Active Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve StimulationParasym device (active, current (mA) < discomfort threshold)-
Sham Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve StimulationParasym device (sham, current (mA) = 0)-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change of Ventricular tachycardia burden1, 7 and 40 days follow-up

Patients will undergo noninvasive continuous ECG monitoring using a 24-hour Holter monitoring at 1, 7 and 40 days to evaluate their number of Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and number of Non-Sustain Ventricular Tachycardias (NSVT).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change of Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction (LVEF)1, 7 and 40 days follow-up

Patients will undergo echocardiography at 1, 7 and 40 days to assess Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction

Change of Signal Averaged ECG1, 7 and 40 days follow-up

Patients will undergo a 12-lead electrocardiogram at 1, 7 and 40 days

Change of Heart Rate Variability1, 7 and 40 days follow-up

Patients will undergo noninvasive continuous ECG monitoring using a 24-hour Holter monitoring at 1, 7 and 40 days to evaluate Heart Rate Variability

Change of T Wave alternans and equal indexes derived from holter monitoring1, 7 and 40 days follow-up

Patients will undergo noninvasive continuous ECG monitoring using a 24-hour Holter monitoring at 1, 7 and 40 days

Change of QT duration1, 7 and 40 days follow-up

Patients will undergo noninvasive continuous ECG monitoring using a 24-hour Holter monitoring at 1, 7 and 40 days

Pain assessment7 days follow-up

Pain scores will be assessed on postoperative days 0-7 using the visual analog score (Scale 0-10). Zero for no pain and ten being the worst pain experienced. They will be obtained and recorded into the medical record by the nurse monitoring the subject as part of standard care

Change of Heart Rate Turbulence1, 7 and 40 days follow-up

Patients will undergo noninvasive continuous ECG monitoring using a 24-hour Holter monitoring at 1, 7 and 40 days to evaluate Heart Rate Turbulence

Change of Echocardiographic strain1, 7 and 40 days follow-up

Patients will undergo echocardiography at 1, 7 and 40 days to assess Myocardial substrate lesions and Post-infraction fibrosis

Number of participants with adverse effects7 days follow-up

Number of participants with pruritus, flush, pain at the stimulation site

Change of Deceleration Capacity (DC)1, 7 and 40 days follow-up

Patients will undergo noninvasive continuous ECG monitoring using a 24-hour Holter monitoring at 1, 7 and 40 days to evaluate Deceleration Capacity

Trial Locations

Locations (4)

Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology

🇦🇪

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

🇺🇸

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

Athens Heart Center Amarousion

🇬🇷

Athens, Attiki, Greece

First Department of Cardiology, Hippocration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

🇬🇷

Athens, Attica, Greece

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