The Effect of Preoperative SGB on POAF After VATS
Atrial FibrillationThe aim of this study is to test if stellate ganglion block can decrease the incidence of atrial fibrillation after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and the way it works.
Exploratory Observation of Regimens After LAA Occlusion by LAMax LAAC® Device for Subjects With...
Non-valvular Atrial FibrillationThis is a prospective, single-center, randomized, exploratory clinical observation to explore the overall benefit of optimized anticoagulation and antithrombotic regimens after left atrial appendage occlusion by LAMax LAAC® occluder for subjects with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) at high risk of bleeding (HAS-BLED score ≥ 3).
RedStroke - Reducing Europe's Stroke Incidence
Atrial FibrillationIn the RedStroke study, the effect of a smartphone application in detecting Atrial Fibrillation (AF) will be assessed in a double-blind randomised controlled multicenter trial. Outpatients with an elevated risk for atrial fibrillation will be randomized to an intervention arm (app group) and to a standard-of-care arm (control group). Both groups will have the app installed on their private smartphones and will be asked to perform a predefined measurement protocol. All patients will continue their prior therapy with their general practitioner and obtain every medical treatment indicated. This study will not cause any restrictions on the usual treatment of the study patients. The only difference between the two groups will be, that patients in the app group will be informed by their local PI, if the recordings of the app indicate AF (and obtain a 14 day Holter ECG for AF verification), whereas the patients in the "usual care" group will obtain the read out of the app at the end of the study.
Comparison of LAA-Closure vs Oral Anticoagulation in Patients With NVAF and Status Post Intracranial...
Atrial Fibrillation (AF)Intracranial BleedAtrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. In atrial fibrillation, there is a risk that clots can form in the heart, especially in the left atrium. If these clots come loose, there is a risk of stroke. To prevent strokes, patients with atrial fibrillation and status post ICB can be treated with anticoagulants. This medication therapy prevents blood clots from forming in the heart, but can also cause bleeding. Another therapy option is the occlusion of the left atrium. After closure of the left atrium, only a short anticoagulation therapy is necessary until the occluder has healed. The aim of the study is to compare these two treatment approaches. In this study only already approved drugs and occlusion systems will be used.
Risk-Based Screening for the Evaluation of Atrial Fibrillation Trial
Atrial Fibrillation and FlutterTo determine whether a risk-based screening programme for occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, involving extended cardiac monitoring in adults with CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3 or greater, increases the detection of new atrial fibrillation/flutter. To determine whether a risk-based screening programme for occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, involving extended cardiac monitoring in adults with CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3 or greater, is cost-effective. To determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of self-monitoring of pulse in adults for detection of atrial fibrillation. To determine the cost, cost effectiveness, and budget impact of a risk-based screening programme for occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, relative to a control of usual care in general practice.
Cardea SOLOTM for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosis in ESUS Patients With Left Atrial Enlargement...
Embolic Stroke of Undetermined SourceThe aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Cardea SOLO Compared to 12 lead EKG for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosis in ESUS patients with Left Atrial Enlargement.
LAAO Versus NOAC in Patients With AF and PCI
Atrial FibrillationPercutaneous Coronary InterventionAtrial fibrillation (AF) coincides with coronary artery disease (CAD) shared common risk factors and pathophysiologic pathways. CAD affects approximately 25% of AF patient according to the trial Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM), while in the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) atrial fibrillation affected about 9% of patients with CAD. It is reported that approximately 5-8% of the patients who underwent PCI had concomitated atrial fibrillation. For AF patients who underwent PCI, both antiplatelet and antithrombotic medications are required for preventing stent thrombosis and ischemic stroke, leading to an increased risk of bleeding. Finding a safe and effective balance between the risk of ischaemic events and bleeding complications is challenged by the shared risk factors for either event such as advanced age, congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, previous stroke, etc.. Previous pivotal trials have shown that in patients with atrial fibrillation and requiring antiplatelet treatment, a NOAC plus clopidogrel regimen was associated with a lower incidence of bleeding events as compared with a warfarin-based triple antithrombotic strategy. Therefore, the current expert opinions and consensus of North American Societies recommend a NOAC plus a P2Y12 inhibitor in patients with AF and PCI. However, the NOAC plus clopidogrel strategy still led to 16.8% of clinically significant bleeding (PIONEER AF-PCI). Consequently, the compliance of OAC/NOAC is commonly suboptimal among PCI patients who require an antithrombotic strategy for AF. Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a non-pharmacological strategy for stroke prevention in patients with AF. Both randomized data and registries have confirmed it can be an alternative to oral anticoagulation in patients with nonvalvular AF. Current guidelines recommend LAAO for patients with NVAF who have contraindications or are unsuitable for long-term OAC. Considering the unique high risk of AF patients with PCI, LAAO may be an attractive treatment option by obviating the need for combined oral anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy. However, so far there is no data from neither randomized cohorts nor real-world registries showing if LAAO can be a safe and effective alternative strategy compared to VKA/NOAC for stroke prevention in AF patients who underwent PCI. The PROTECT AF and PREVAIL studies showed that the percutaneous LAAO was non-inferior to warfarin therapy, and the PRAGUE-17 trial showed non-inferior to direct oral anticoagulants, however, the small sample size of these trials limited further subgroup analyses of the PCI sub-population. In the NCDR registry, which is the largest cohort of LAAO up to now, 20.3% of the LAAO patients had a prior myocardial infarction. However, the proportion of stent implantation was not reported. Among previous trials, the proportion of patients with coronary artery disease ranged from 28.5% to 47.5%. The large number of AF patients with CAD warrant the optimal stroke prevention strategy to be assessed in this population. The primary goal of the proposed study is to investigate if the non-inferiority would be met for the LAAO when compared to NOACs in NVAF patients with PCI in terms of a composite endpoint of any death, any stroke, any myocardial infarction, systemic embolism at 12 months. In addition, the powered key secondary will also have 80% of power to show superiority for the LAAO when compared to NOACs in terms of BARC type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding events at 36 months.
High-intensity Interval Training in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial FibrillationA key characteristic of the heart is its regular rhythm. When the heart is exposed to irregular electric impulses, such as with atrial fibrillation (AF), detrimental effects can occur affecting the ability of the heart to pump blood. AF affects more than 33 million individuals worldwide, and places individuals at increased risk for stroke, heart failure and death. Of note, being fit seems to protect the long-term severity of AF, and individuals with AF who improved their aerobic fitness seem to decrease their severity of atrial fibrillation. Although exercise training is known to improve aerobic fitness, there are limited data investigating the benefits of an exercise training program on the reduction of AF burden. Once AF is present, regular exercise in these patients reduces the risk for developing cardiovascular events. Moreover, exercise training at high-intensity seems to bring greater adaptations in cardiac patients. This effect may be related to improvements in cardiovascular function and structure. No previous study has explored this possibility in patients with AF. Therefore, I will assess cardiac function and blood vessel quality before and after exercise training (at high- and moderate-intensities) in patients with AF. Better insight into how intensity of exercise training could affect the heart and the blood vessels can lead to better exercise recommendations in this population. This project will contribute to improved clinical care for patients with AF, specifically related to the prescription of the optimal dose and type of exercise. This may result in fewer complications, improved quality of life, and lower socio-economic/healthcare costs.
Apple Watch-led Surveillance of AF Recurrence After Catheter Ablation
Atrial FibrillationAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart rhythm disorder associated with debillitating symptoms, psychological distress and heart failure. It can also significantly increase an individuals stroke risk. Catheter ablation (CA) for AF is the most effective way to restore normal heart rhythm. However, AF can recur in up to 50% of patients after their first CA procedure and a second 'top-up' procedure may be needed to maximise effect. Early detection of recurrences can enable planning and treatment and repeat CA procedures. Post-CA follow-up strategies rely on episodic rhythm monitoring (Holter monitor tests) that usually last between 1 and 7 days. However, AF recurrences can be intermittent and may not occur during these short monitoring episodes. A greater duration of monitoring has been shown to yield greater detection of AF recurrences. Relying on symptoms alone to detect recurrence is also sub-optimal. AF recurrences can also be insidious. Similar symptoms may be reported from ectopy, atrial tachycardias or atrial flutter. These may require different management approaches, necessitating rhythm characterisation before considering a repeat CA. The Apple Watch (AW) is a wristwatch that is able to monitor a wearer's heart rate and rhythm regularity as well as facilitating an immediate, real-time single-lead ECG recording. This non-invasive device that can be purchased over- the-counter has demonstrated feasibility in detecting AF and may offer a potential non-invasive, alternative long-term rhythm surveillance strategy to diagnose AF in these patients. The investigators propose a single-centre, randomised controlled study to compare the standard follow-up strategy after index AF CA versus one supplemented with an AW-led prolonged monitoring strategy to determine if the latter will improve the expediency and rate of AF recurrence detection. Whether this will lead to improved downstream decision-making, reduction in symptomatic events and a lower prevalence of AF in the longer term will also be studied.
An Open-label Study of EZYPRO® in Atrial Fibrillation Detection on ESUS Patients
Atrial FibrillationEmbolic Stroke of Undetermined SourceThe aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the 14-day continuous ECG patch monitor (EZYPRO®) compared with a 24-hour Holter monitor in the detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) among ESUS patients.