Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Currently, Medtronic Arctic Front Cryoballoon is the most frequently used single shot technology and hence is the benchmark for upcoming technologies. A novel method, pulse-field ablation (PFA) using the FARAPULSE catheter, has recently been introduced (FARAPULSE PFA, Boston Scientific). However, whether FARAPULSE PFA provides effectiveness similar to the standard-of-practice Medtronic Arctic Front Cryoballoon is yet to be investigated. Given that FARAPULSE PFA has shown in studies not to cause any of the severe complications reported in association with traditional PVI while being highly effective, it might be even safer and more effective for use in AF ablation procedures. The aim of this trial is to compare the efficacy and safety of PVI using FARAPULSE PFA (Boston Scientific) and the Arctic Front Cryoballoon (Medtronic) in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF undergoing their first PVI. This is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized controlled, open-label trial with blinded endpoint adjudication. Given that the Medtronic Arctic Front Cryoballoon is the standard-of-practice for PVI and the FARAPULSE PFA is the novel technology, this trial has a non-inferiority design. The null hypothesis with regards to the primary efficacy endpoint is that the FARAPULSE PFA (Boston Scientific) shows lower efficacy compared to the Arctic Front Cryoballoon (Medtronic) and that therefore more episodes of first recurrence of any atrial arrhythmia between days 91 and 365 will be observed in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF undergoing their first PVI. Hence, the alternative hypothesis postulates that the FARAPULSE PFA is non-inferior to the Arctic Front Cryoballoon. Rejection of the null hypothesis is needed to conclude non-inferiority.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
210
Patients randomized to the Arctic Front cryoballoon group will undergo PVI using the Arctic Front Cryoballoon (Medtronic). At the end of the procedure, an implantable cardiac monitor will be implanted for the purpose of continuous arrhythmia monitoring.
Patients randomized to the Pulsed Field Ablation group will undergo PVI using the FARAPULSE PFA system (Boston Scientific). At the end of the procedure, an implantable cardiac monitor will be implanted for the purpose of continuous arrhythmia monitoring.
University Hospital Basel
Basel, Switzerland
Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Bern, Switzerland
Time to first recurrence of any atrial tachyarrhythmia
Time to first recurrence of any atrial tachyarrhythmia (atrial fibrillation \[AF\], atrial flutter \[AFL\] or atrial tachycardia \[AT\]) between days 91 and 365 post ablation as detected on continuous implantable cardiac monitor (ICM). AF, AFL or AT will qualify as a recurrence after ablation if it lasts 120 s or longer on ICM (the minimum programmable episode interval).
Time frame: Days 91 to 365 post-ablation
Number of participants with complications
Composite safety endpoint composed of: * cardiac tamponade requiring drainage * persistent phrenic nerve palsy lasting \>24 hours * serious vascular complications requiring intervention * stroke/TIA * atrioesophageal fistula * death
Time frame: Days 0 to 30 post-ablation
Total procedure time
Procedural endpoint
Time frame: Day 0
Total left atrium indwelling time
Procedural endpoint
Time frame: Day 0
Total fluoroscopy time
Procedural endpoint
Time frame: day 0
Total radiation dose
Procedural endpoint
Time frame: Day 0
Contrast agent usage
Procedural endpoint
Time frame: Day 0
Increase in hsTroponin on day 1 post-ablation
Procedural endpoint
Time frame: Day 1
Proportion of isolated veins
Assessed by post-ablation 3D electro-anatomical mapping in the first 25 patients in each study group
Time frame: Day 0
Proportion of isolated carinas
Assessed by post-ablation 3D electro-anatomical mapping in the first 25 patients in each study group
Time frame: Day 0
Lesion size
Assessed by post-ablation 3D electro-anatomical mapping in the first 25 patients in each study group
Time frame: Day 0
Time to first recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia between days 1 and 90 after ablation
Time to first recurrence of any atrial tachyarrhythmia (atrial fibrillation \[AF\], atrial flutter \[AFL\] or atrial tachycardia \[AT\]) between days 1 and 90 post ablation as detected on continuous implantable cardiac monitor (ICM). AF, AFL or AT will qualify as a recurrence after ablation if it lasts 120 s or longer on ICM (the minimum programmable episode interval).
Time frame: Days 1 to 90 post-ablation
Arrhythmia burden evaluated based on continuous ICM (overall AF burden = % time in AF)
Assessed by the ICM Core Lab post implantation: between 0-90 days; 91-365 days, 365 days to explantation/end of life of the ICM
Time frame: Between: 0-90 days, 91-365 days, 365 days up to 3.5 years
Arrhythmia being AF or organized atrial arrhythmias (atrial flutter or atrial tachycardias)
Comparison of the prevalence of the type of arrhythmia recurrences during follow-up being AF or organized atrial arrhythmias (AFL or AT)
Time frame: 3, 12, 24 and 36 months follow up
Average heart rates
Average heart rates in ICM documentation in months 1, 2 and 3 after ablation
Time frame: Months 1, 2 and 3 post-ablation
Proportion of patients admitted to the hospital or emergency room because of documented recurrence of atrial arrhythmias
Based on telephone follow-up
Time frame: Postablation 3 months (+/- 2 weeks), 12 months (+/- 2 months), 24 months (+/- 2 months) and 36 months (+/- 2 months)
Proportion of patients undergoing electrical cardioversion because of documented recurrence of atrial arrhythmias
Based on telephone follow-up
Time frame: Postablation 3 months (+/- 2 weeks), 12 months (+/- 2 months), 24 months (+/- 2 months) and 36 months (+/- 2 months)
Proportion of patients undergoing a repeat ablation procedure because of documented recurrence of atrial arrhythmias
Based on telephone follow-up
Time frame: Postablation 3 months (+/- 2 weeks), 12 months (+/- 2 months), 24 months (+/- 2 months) and 36 months (+/- 2 months)
Reinitiation of antiarrhythmic drugs during follow-up
Reinitiation of antiarrhythmic drugs during follow-up based on telephone follow-up
Time frame: Months 3, 12, 24 and 36 post-ablation
Number of reconnected veins evaluated during redo-procedures
Time frame: During redo-procedure, expected to be on average 20-60 minutes
Evolution of Quality of Life through months 3 and 12
QoL questionnaires (EQ-5D) will be sent to the patients by mail after 3 and 12 months to compare the evolution of QoL after the ablation
Time frame: Months 3 and 12 post-ablation
Stroke including TIA after 3, 12, 24 and 36 months
Time frame: Months 3, 12, 24 and 36 post-ablation
Death cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular after 3, 12, 24 and 36 months
Time frame: Months 3, 12, 24 and 36 post-ablation
Sites (anatomical location) of vein reconnection assessed in study patients undergoing a Redo-Procedure at one of the study centres
Time frame: During redo-procedure, expected to be on average 20-60 minutes
Size (area calculate in cm2) of antral scar area assessed in study patients undergoing a Redo-Procedure at one of the study centres
Time frame: During redo-procedure, expected to be on average 20-60 minutes
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.