Moxonidine for Prevention of Post-ablation AFib Recurrences
Atrial Fibrillation
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Atrial Fibrillation focused on measuring atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal, persistent, ablation, pulmonary vein isolation, recurrence
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Hypertensive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
- At least two documented episodes within the last 12 months (either self-terminating within 7 days or cardioverted, medically or electrically, in less than 48 hours).
- At least one episode should have been documented under treatment with a class Ic or III antiarrhythmic drug.
Exclusion Criteria:
- age <25 or >80 years
- presence of atrial thrombus
- left atrial volume index >55 ml/m2
- hypersensitivity to moxonidine
- sick sinus syndrome or sino-atrial block
- 2nd or 3rd degree atrioventricular block
- bradycardia (below 50 beats/minute at rest)
- estimated glomerular filtration rate <40 ml/min/1.73 m2
- history of angioneurotic oedema
- heart failure symptoms OR impaired left ventricular function (EF <40%), even if asymptomatic
- stable or unstable angina pectoris
- intermittent claudication or known peripheral artery disease
- Parkinson's disease
- epileptic disorders
- glaucoma
- history of depression
- pregnancy or lactation
- inability or unwillingness to adhere to standard treatment or to provide consent.
Sites / Locations
- Evangelismos General Hospital
- Athens General Hospital "G. Gennimatas"
- Red Cross Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Placebo Comparator
Active Comparator
Control group
Moxonidine group
The patients of the control group will undergo standard ablation procedure (pulmonary vein isolation) and will receive placebo, starting one week before scheduled ablation. Optimal antihypertensive treatment will be prescribed, with adequate follow-up to ensure good control of hypertension (goal <= 140/90).
Patients of the active treatment group will receive moxonidine in a starting dose of 0.2 mg daily. The first dose will be administered 1 week before scheduled ablation. 3 weeks after the first dose the daily dose will be increased to 0.4 mg, if the lower dose is well tolerated. Optimal antihypertensive treatment, in addition to moxonidine, will be prescribed, if needed, with adequate follow-up to ensure good control of hypertension (goal <= 140/90).