Ground-Breaking Electroporation-based Intervention for PAROXysmal Atrial Fibrillation Treatment (BEAT PAROX-AF) (BEAT PAROX-AF)
Atrial Fibrillation
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Atrial Fibrillation focused on measuring Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation, Cardiac Arrhythmia, Pulmonary vein Isolation, Catheter Ablation, RF Ablation, Pulsed Field Energy
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Patients with drug-resistant symptomatic PAF meeting all the following criteria:
- Paroxysmal: AF that terminates spontaneously or with intervention within 7 days of onset.
- Frequency:
i. Physician documentation of recurrent PAF (two or more episodes) within 6 months, AND ii. At least one (1) documented episode by a recording such as ECG, Event Monitor, Holter monitor or telemetry strip within 12 months of enrolment.
c. Drug failed: Failed AAD treatment, meaning therapeutic failure of at least one (1) AAD (Class I to IV) for efficacy and / or intolerance.
- Patients who are ≥ 18 and ≤ 75 years of age on the day of enrollment.
Patient who are willing and capable of:
- Providing informed consent to undergo study procedures AND
- Participating in all examinations and follow-up visits and tests associated with this clinical study.
- Patient having a smart phone compatible with the Event Monitor device.
- Effective contraception for women of childbearing potential.
- Effective oral anticoagulation >3 weeks prior to planned ablation procedure
- Patient affiliated to or beneficiary of national health security scheme for French participants.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. AF that is any of the following:
- Persistent (both early and longstanding) by diagnosis or continuous duration > 7 days
- Secondary to electrolyte imbalance, thyroid disease, alcohol or other reversible / non-cardiac causes 2. Any of the following atrial conditions:
- Left atrial anteroposterior diameter ≥ 5.5 cm (by MRI, CT or TTE)
- Any prior atrial endocardial or epicardial ablation procedure, other than right sided cavotricuspid isthmus ablation or for right sided SVT
- Any prior atrial surgery
- Intra-atrial septal patch or interatrial shunt
- Atrial myxoma
- Current LA thrombus
- LA appendage closure, device or occlusion, past or anticipated
- Any PV abnormality, stenosis or stenting (common and middle PVs are admissible) 3. At any time, one (1) or more of the following cardiovascular procedures, implants or conditions:
a. Sustained ventricular tachycardia or any ventricular fibrillation b. Hemodynamically significant valvular disease: i. Valvular disease that is symptomatic ii. Valvular disease causing or exacerbating congestive heart failure iii. Aortic stenosis: if already characterized, valve area < 1.5cm or gradient > 20 mm Hg iv. Mitral stenosis: if already characterized, valve area < 1.5cm or gradient > 5 mm Hg v. Aortic or mitral regurgitation associated with abnormal LV function or hemodynamic measurements c. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy d. Any prosthetic heart valve, ring or repair including balloon aortic valvuloplasty e. Pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy devices f. Any inferior vena cava (IVC) filter, known inability to obtain vascular access or other contraindication to femoral access g. History of rheumatic fever h. History of congenital heart disease with any residual anatomic or conduction abnormality 4. Any of the following procedures, implants or conditions:
a. At baseline: i. New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III/IV ii. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40% iii. Symptomatic hypotension iv. Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP > 160 mmHg or DBP > 95 mmHg on two BP measurements at baseline assessment) v. Symptomatic resting bradycardia vi. Implantable loop recorder or insertable cardiac monitor, b. Within the 3 months preceding the Consent Date: i. Myocardial infarction ii. Unstable angina iii. Percutaneous coronary intervention iv. Heart failure hospitalization v. Pericarditis or symptomatic pericardial effusion vi. Gastrointestinal bleeding c. Within the 6 months preceding the Consent Date: i. Heart surgery ii. Stroke, TIA or intracranial bleeding iii. Any thromboembolic event iv. Carotid stenting or endarterectomy 5. Diagnosed disorder of blood clotting or bleeding diathesis 6. Contraindication to, or unwillingness to use, systemic anticoagulation 7. Contraindication to both CT and MRI 8. Sensitivity to contrast media not controllable by premedication 9. Women of childbearing potential who are pregnant, lactating, not using medical birth control or who are planning to become pregnant during the anticipated study period 10. Medical conditions that would prevent participation in the study, interfere with assessment or therapy, significantly raise the risk of study participation, or modify outcome data or its interpretation, including but not limited to:
- Body Mass Index (BMI) > 40.0
- Solid organ or hematologic transplant, or currently being evaluated for an organ transplant
- Severe lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, or any lung disease involving abnormal blood gases or requiring supplemental oxygen
- Renal insufficiency with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, or any history of renal dialysis or renal transplant
- Active malignancy or history of treated malignancy within 24 months of enrollment (other than cutaneous basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma)
- Clinically significant gastrointestinal problems involving the esophagus or stomach including severe or erosive esophagitis, uncontrolled gastric reflux, gastroparesis, esophageal candidiasis or active gastroduodenal ulceration
- Active systemic infection
- COVID-19 disease
- Current confirmed, active COVID-19 disease ii. Current positive test for SARS-CoV-2 iii. Confirmed COVID-19 disease not clinically resolved at least 3 months prior to the Consent Date.
i. Other uncontrolled medical conditions that may modify device effect or increase risk, including uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HgbA1c > 8.0% if test result already obtained), untreated obstructive sleep apnea or active alcohol abuse j. Predicted life expectancy less than one (1) year 11. Clinically significant psychological condition that in the Investigator's opinion would prohibit the subject's ability to meet the protocol requirements/ Patient under legal protection 12. Current or anticipated enrollment in any other clinical study. 13. Employees / family members of:
- FARAPULSE or any of its affiliates or contractors
- The Investigator, sub-Investigators, or their medical office or practice, or healthcare organizations at which study procedures may be performed.
Sites / Locations
- Medical University of Graz
- AZ Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende
- Homolka Hospital
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine
- CHU BordeauxRecruiting
- CHU Toulouse
- Clinique Pasteur, Toulouse
- Cardiovascular Center Bad Neustadt
- Deutsches Herzzentrum München
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
PEF Arm
Pulmonary vein isolation using Contact Force RF
PEF is a non-thermal ablation modality using extremely short high voltage pulses to induce cell death, with tissue selectivity, cardiomyocytes being much more sensitive to this energy than Phrenic nerve or Esophageal cells. Energy (2000 V) will be delivered 8 times per vein with 2 different catheter configurations and rotations
The PVI strategy using RF is very standard. The CARTO© platform will be used, with a contact force catheter (SmartTouch), aiming at an ablation index value of 300 to 400 on the posterior wall, and at least 500 on the anterior wall. Power will be limited to 35/45 W, with a distance between consecutive deliveries of 6 mm or less (CLOSE protocol).