Hybrid thoracoscopic surgical and transvenous catheter ablation versus transvenous catheter ablation in persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (HARTCAP-AF): study protocol for a randomized trial

Mindy Vroomen*, Mark La Meir, Bart Maesen, Justin G. L. Luermans, Kevin Vernooy, Brigitte Essers, Bianca T. A. de Greef, Jos G. Maessen, Harry J. Crijns, Laurent Pison

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BackgroundSuccess rates with conventional transvenous endocardial pulmonary vein isolation in patients with persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) are variable due to advanced electrical and structural remodeling of the atria. As a consequence, more extensive endocardial lesions, minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgical techniques, and hybrid ablation (combining thoracoscopic epicardial surgical and endocardial catheter ablation) have been developed.HypothesisThe HARTCAP-AF trial hypothesizes that hybrid AF ablation is more effective than (repeated) transvenous endocardial catheter ablation in (longstanding) persistent AF, without increasing the number of associated major adverse events.MethodsThis randomized controlled trial will include 40 patients with persistent or longstanding persistent AF who will be 1:1 randomized to either hybrid ablation or (repeated) catheter ablation. The procedures and follow-up are conducted according to the guidelines. The primary effectiveness endpoint is freedom from any supraventricular arrhythmia lasting longer than 5min without the use of Vaughan-Williams class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs through 12months of follow-up after the last procedure. In the catheter ablation arm, a second procedure planned within 6months after the index procedure is allowed for obtaining the primary endpoint. Additionally, adverse events, cost-effectiveness, and quality of life data will be recorded.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02441738. Registered on 12 May 2015.

Original languageEnglish
Article number370
Number of pages11
JournalTrials
Volume20
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Jun 2019

Keywords

  • ANTIARRHYTHMIC-DRUG TREATMENT
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • COLLABORATION
  • Catheter ablation
  • FOLLOW-UP
  • Hybrid ablation
  • Longstanding persistent
  • MULTICENTER
  • PULMONARY VEIN ISOLATION
  • Persistent
  • RISK-FACTORS
  • STAR AF
  • STRATEGIES
  • TERMINATION
  • THORACIC SURGEONS
  • EFFICACY

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