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HomeCardiologyRadio-frequency catheter ablation lowers mortality in AF patients

Radio-frequency catheter ablation lowers mortality in AF patients

Researchers at the University of Utah Health and Klinikum Coburg, Germany co-led a clinical trial that showed radio-frequency catheter ablation lowered hospitalisation and mortality rates by 47% and 44% respectively in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), a contributing factor to heart failure.

"None of the traditional drug therapies are improving the patient's condition, a major medical dilemma when we see these patients in our clinics," said Dr Nassir F Marrouche, professor in internal medicine and executive director of the Comprehensive Arrhythmia Research and Management (CARMA) Centre at U of U Health.

The medical community has long debated the ideal treatment for AF, especially for patients who suffer from left ventricular dysfunction, a weakening of the left ventricle that supplies most of the heart's pumping power. Until now, no clinical studies have been conducted that support one definitive treatment.

Marrouche and Johannes Brachmann from the Klinikum Coburg conducted the eight-year CASTLE-AF clinical trial to compare catheter ablation to conventional drug therapies recommended by the American Heart Association and European Heart Society to control the heart's rate.

"The CASTLE-AF clinical trial represents a landmark in the history of cardiovascular medicine because of its potential impact on our patients who are suffering from heart failure," said Dr James Fang, chief of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Utah Health. "For the first time in a randomised study, the strategy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation may be better than the current approach for these patients. It is also one of the many landmark contributions to cardiovascular medicine that the University of Utah has made over the past five decades."

After evaluating more than 3,000 patients from North America, Europe and Australia, researchers selected 363 participants with temporary or persistent AF and heart failure, characterised by heart function at less than 35% capacity, for the clinical trial. The patients were separated into two groups, receiving either radio-frequency catheter ablation (179) or a conventional drug therapy (184).

The clinical trial's end point was set at all-cause mortality and worsening of heart failure, resulting in an unplanned overnight hospitalisation. Patients in the ablation group experienced lower overall mortality (28%; 51/179) compared to the medication group (46%; 82/184). In addition, catheter ablation resulted in lower cardiovascular mortality (13%; 24/179) compared to the medication group (25%; 46/184).

Special heart cells create electrical signals that cause the heart's upper and lower chambers to beat in the proper sequence to pump blood through the body. Abnormal cells can cause the heart to beat faster or irregularly, resulting in AF.

"Atrial fibrillation prevents the heart from filling and pumping properly," said Marrouche. "When the heart is not synchronised, it hastens heart failure and increases the risk of stroke."

During the ablation process, a catheter is snaked through the patient's body to the site of abnormal heart cells. The doctor delivers a dose of radiofrequency energy, similar to microwaves, to destroy the abnormal cells, which restores the heart's regular rhythm.

All of the participants included in the CASTLE-AF trial had previously received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), which allowed for continuous monitoring of heartrate. The ICD may have improved mortality, which Marrouche believes is the primary limitation in this study that may have affected death rates in both groups.

"This clinical trial is the first time we can show with hard data that ablation is saving more lives than arrhythmia medications," said Marrouche. "It also lowers the cost of treating patients by keeping them out of hospital due to lower incidence of worsening heart failure."

Abstract
Description: The goal of the trial was to evaluate catheter ablation compared with standard treatment among patients with left ventricular dysfunction and atrial fibrillation.
Study Design: Randomized
Parallel: Patients with left ventricular dysfunction and atrial fibrillation were randomized to catheter ablation (n = 179) versus conventional treatment (n = 184). Total number of enrollees: 363. Duration of follow-up: median 37.8 months. Mean patient age: 64 years
Mean left ventricular ejection fraction: 35%.
Inclusion criteria: Symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation; intolerance or unwillingness to take at least one antiarrhythmic drug; left ventricular ejection fraction: ≤35%; New York Heart Association class ≥2; and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator with home monitoring capabilities
Principal Findings: The primary outcome, incidence of death or hospitalization for heart failure, occurred in 28.5% of the catheter ablation group vs. 44.6% of the control group (p = 0.007).
Interpretation: Among patients with left ventricular dysfunction and atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation was superior to conventional treatment. Catheter ablation was associated with a reduction in deaths or hospitalizations for heart failure.

[link url="https://healthcare.utah.edu/publicaffairs/news/2017/08/marrouche.php"]University of Utah Health material[/link]
[link url="http://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/clinical-trials/2017/08/26/01/51/castle-af"]ESC 2017 abstract[/link]

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