PLAI-AF Trial: Hybrid Endo-epicardial Partial Left Atrial Isolation vs. Endocardial Ablation in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

NCT ID: NCT05723536

Last Updated: 2023-02-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE3

Total Enrollment

80 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-04-01

Study Completion Date

2025-12-31

Brief Summary

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In patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF), current clinical guidelines recommend ablation for rhythm control.

While percutaneous ablation has good results in patients with paroxysmal AF, it is not clear which is the best technique in patients with persistent or long-standing persistent AF. Our group performed the first randomized study of thoracoscopic epicardial ablation vs. endocardial catheter ablation (FAST Trial), which showed better results for epicardial ablation but with a higher rate of complications. Hybrid epicardial and endocardial ablation strategies have recently been described sequentially, showing better results in patients with persistent AF, but 40% of patients are still refractory to ablation.

Our study aims to compare the conventional strategy (catheter ablation) with partial electrical isolation of the left atrium endo-epicardially (pulmonary veins, posterior wall and left atrial appendage) in a single procedure in the group of patients most refractory to ablation. Likewise, using magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography to analyze the atrial remodeling factors that can predict the success and failure of both therapies.

Methodology: A 1:1 randomized clinical trial in patients with persistent and long-standing persistent AF in two groups: conventional ablation vs. partial endo-epicardial isolation. Prior to ablation, cardioversion will be performed and functionality and atrial size will be verified by echocardiography and delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will detect the degree of fibrosis and atrial remodeling. During the ablation procedure, a continuous rhythm recording device will be implanted. Likewise, at three months the MRI will be repeated to detect post-ablation fibrosis. At six months the echocardiography will be performed to assess atrial function and size.

Main Expected Results: The expected results include: 1. an improvement in the rate of patients with no atrial arrhythmias recurrence in patients undergoing endo-epicardial ablation; 2. a lower AF burden in patients undergoing endo-epicardial ablation who have had recurrence; 3. To know the degree of atrial fibrosis associated with the success/failure of each technique; 4. To know the degree of fibrosis that both techniques produce; 5. To know the degree of ventricular function associated with the success/failure of each technique; 6. To know the degree of potentially lost atrial function; 7. To Compare the safety of both techniques

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Atrial Fibrillation Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Arrythmia

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

1:1 randomized clinical trial in patients with persistent and long-standing persistent AF in two groups: conventional ablation vs partial endo-epicardial isolation.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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PLAI (Partial Left Atrial Isolation)

Partial electrical isolation of the left atrium endo-epicardially (pulmonary veins, posterior wall and left atrial appendage) and left atrial appendage isolation using Atriclip (Atricure, Mason OH, USA) in a single procedure in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Partial Left Atrial Isolation

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Partial electrical isolation of the left atrium endo-epicardially (pulmonary veins, posterior wall and left atrial appendage) and left atrial appendage isolation using Atriclip (Atricure, Mason OH, USA) in a single procedure in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

CA (Catheter Ablation)

Conventional catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Catheter Ablation

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Interventions

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Partial Left Atrial Isolation

Partial electrical isolation of the left atrium endo-epicardially (pulmonary veins, posterior wall and left atrial appendage) and left atrial appendage isolation using Atriclip (Atricure, Mason OH, USA) in a single procedure in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Catheter Ablation

Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Patients between the ages of 18 and 75, both inclusive, at the time of the consent date.
2. Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation refractory to at least one antiarrhythmic drug (Class I or III).
3. Signature of written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Persistent atrial fibrillation of more than 4 years.
2. Moderate to severe valvular heart disease.
3. Severe atrial dilatation (left appendage AP diameter \> 55 mm or \> 50ml/m2).
4. Patients requiring concomitant cardiac surgery or with previous cardiac surgery.
5. Left ventricular ejection fraction \<40%.
6. History of pericarditis.
7. Previous stroke.
8. Presence of active infection or sepsis, esophageal ulcer stricture and/or esophageal varices.
9. Patients with renal dysfunction defined as GFR less than or equal to 40 ml/min/m2.
10. Contraindication for chronic anticoagulation.
11. Patients who have undergone prior left atrial catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation or who are receiving treatment for ventricular arrhythmia.
12. Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease considered GOLD III.
13. Patients with active neoproliferative disease or other concomitant disease where the medical team considers that ablation places the patient at unacceptable risk.
14. Pregnant, lactating women.
15. Patients who have previously presented allergic reactions to gadolinium.
16. Patients with claustrophobia that makes it impossible to perform nuclear magnetic resonance.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Hospital Clinic of Barcelona

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Hospital Clínic de Barcelona

Barcelona, , Spain

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Spain

Central Contacts

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Manuel Castellà, MD PhD

Role: CONTACT

+34932275515

Laia Hernández, MSc

Role: CONTACT

+34932275733

Facility Contacts

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Manuel Castellà, MD PhD

Role: primary

+34932275515

Laia Hernández, MSc

Role: backup

+34932275733

References

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Castella M, Kotecha D, van Laar C, Wintgens L, Castillo Y, Kelder J, Aragon D, Nunez M, Sandoval E, Casellas A, Mont L, van Boven WJ, Boersma LVA, van Putte BP. Thoracoscopic vs. catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: long-term follow-up of the FAST randomized trial. Europace. 2019 May 1;21(5):746-753. doi: 10.1093/europace/euy325.

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Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Yorgun H, Canpolat U, Kocyigit D, Coteli C, Evranos B, Aytemir K. Left atrial appendage isolation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation in persistent atrial fibrillation: one-year clinical outcome after cryoballoon-based ablation. Europace. 2017 May 1;19(5):758-768. doi: 10.1093/europace/eux005.

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Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33999547 (View on PubMed)

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Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Bisbal F, Guiu E, Cabanas-Grandio P, Berruezo A, Prat-Gonzalez S, Vidal B, Garrido C, Andreu D, Fernandez-Armenta J, Tolosana JM, Arbelo E, de Caralt TM, Perea RJ, Brugada J, Mont L. CMR-guided approach to localize and ablate gaps in repeat AF ablation procedure. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2014 Jul;7(7):653-63. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2014.01.014. Epub 2014 May 7.

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Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Other Identifiers

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HCB/2022/1059

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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