Dronedarone in Pacemakers Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Overview

The purpose of this study is to accurately investigate the efficacy of dronedarone in maintaining sinus rhythm and decreasing AFB in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as compared with placebo. This has never previously been performed using pacemaker Holter monitoring which provides detailed information of atrial arrhythmia patterns the entire study period. Additionally detailed patient symptom self assessment and questionnaires will be collected. The study design will be double blinded crossover with each phase lasting 3 months.

The study is planned to commence in March 2010 after obtaining Ethics Committee approval. Patients will be randomised to a three month course of dronedarone or placebo. 1:1 double blinded randomisation will be undertaken. At three months, after a one week washout period, the patients will cross-over treatment groups. To achieve a power of 0.8 with a type one error rate 5% detecting a relative difference of 10% primary outcomes the study will require 42 patients. 50 patients in total will be enrolled in the study. The study will take place at Eastbourne District General Hospital. The study duration per patient is 7 months. The overall study duration will be 1 year. STUDY OVERVIEW Appropriate patients with DDDRP pacemakers with an AF burden of 1-50% detected on pacemaker holters will be identified from the pacing clinic list and the Cardiology Outpatient Department at the Eastbourne District General Hospital. They will be invited to take part after a verbal explanation of the study has been given. If agreement is obtained each patient will be given the Patient Information Sheet and allowed time to consider their participation in the study and to ask relevant questions. If they are still in agreement they will be asked to sign the Patient Consent Form. Initially, all patients will have all baseline parameters assessed. All patients will stop taking their anti-arrhythmic drugs for a period of one week. Patients will then have a three month course of either dronedarone or placebo according to randomisation in a double blinded fashion. Randomisation will be performed by use of random number tables. At three months data will be collected from patient questionnaires and pacemaker Holter. There will be a one week washout period at this time. Patients will then cross-over to dronedarone or placebo for a three month period. Data from patient questionnaires and pacemaker Holters will be collected at three months after cross-over. Patients will then undergo a further week washout period before re-initiating their original anti-arrhythmic therapy.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Central Contacts