NCT04141553

Brief Summary

The administration of intravenous non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem for patients presenting in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, without evidence of pre-excitation, are recommended first-line therapies by the American Heart Association.1 Hypotension warrants careful consideration in the treatment of atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response. Hemodynamic stability is a continuum, however, and rate control is often vital, particularly in patients who are refractory to electrical cardioversion \[or who have underlying conditions such that tachycardia is not well tolerated\]. Diltiazem has been utilized in dosing such as 2.5 mg/min in those with decreased blood pressure and atrial fibrillation with elevated ventricular rate.2 Lim et al. in 2002 demonstrated the effectiveness of a slow infusion of diltiazem 2.5 mg/min to a maximum of 50 mg to control rate in supraventricular tachycardia. The study of the slow infusion of diltiazem has been limited to supraventricular tachycardia. No literature exists evaluating the efficacy of such a gradual infusion in atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, rhythms affecting 2.7 million to 6.1 million Americans.1,3 It can be reasoned that a gradual infusion of diltiazem will minimize side effects, predominantly hypotension, and perhaps even demonstrate efficacy in alleviating hypotension due to decreased stroke volume from excessive tachycardia. The proposed benefits of an infusion, as compared to a bolus, would allow for the termination of an infusion as soon as rate control is achieved thus limiting the potential for hypotension. With current evidence-based literature validating the superiority of non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers and questions surrounding present recommendations of weight based intravenous dosing, the authors suggest an inquiry into the utility of a gradual infusion of diltiazem for initial rate control in patients presenting with atrial fibrillation or flutter with or without hypotension related to excessive tachycardia. This is a prospective, randomized, double blind investigation to compare the effectiveness of standard IV (intravenous) push diltiazem at 0.25 mg/kg (to a maximum of 25 mg) over 2 minutes, with a potential repeat dose of 0.35 mg/kg if the initial dose is not effective versus a slow infusion of 50 mg of IV diltiazem diluted in 50 mL of 0.9% normal saline (NS) administered over 20 minutes. The investigators anticipate the data to be collected over the course of 2-3 years. These methods of diltiazem administration are already accepted practices at our institution and are consistent with current approved product labeling and professional judgment based upon clinical experience, and therefore the investigators do not foresee any additional risk to patients enrolled in our proposed study. In either treatment group, should hypotension or other clinical evidence of poor systemic perfusion, no additional IV diltiazem, or additional administration of a diltiazem infusion will be administered. The primary outcome measured will be the efficacy of treatment as defined by the obtainment of a heart rate of \<110 beats/minute within 30 minutes of drug administration. Secondary outcomes evaluated will include the need for additional medications to achieve rate control including the need for repeat diltiazem bolus at 0.35 mg/kg, electrical cardioversion, admission, allergic reactions, and side effects including, but not limited to, systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg or bradycardia with heart rate less than 60 bpm.

Trial Health

35
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
300

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for phase_4 atrial-fibrillation

Timeline
Completed

Started Dec 2019

Shorter than P25 for phase_4 atrial-fibrillation

Status
unknown

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

October 15, 2019

Completed
13 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

October 28, 2019

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 1, 2019

Completed
2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 1, 2021

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 1, 2021

Completed
Last Updated

October 28, 2019

Status Verified

October 1, 2019

Enrollment Period

2 years

First QC Date

October 15, 2019

Last Update Submit

October 24, 2019

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Resolution of arrhythmia

    Efficacy of treatment as defined by the achievement of a heart rate of \<110 beats/minute

    within 30 minutes of drug administration

Secondary Outcomes (5)

  • Use of additional medications to achieve rate control

    within 30 minutes of diltiazem administration

  • Frequency of cardioversion

    within 30 minutes of diltiazem administration

  • Frequency of hospital admission

    within 24 hours of study related treatment in the Emergency Department.

  • Identification of adverse events.

    at the time of diltiazem administration and and immediately following the medication

  • Occurrence of allergic reactions

    at the time of diltiazem administration and and immediately following the medication

Study Arms (2)

Diltiazem IV push

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

In the standard IV push group, diltiazem will be administered at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg, to a max dose of 25 mg, over 2 minutes. At time 0, these participants will also receive 30 mg of immediate release oral diltiazem. After 15 minutes, if adequate rate control of \<110 BPM has not been achieved, an additional dose 0.35 mg/kg to a max dose of 35 mg will be administered. In order to maintain the blind, the control group will also receive 50 mL of 0.9% NS IV over 20 minutes.

Drug: Diltiazem Injection

Diltiazem IV Slow Infusion

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

In the slow infusion group, 50 mg of diltiazem will be diluted in 50 mL of 0.9% NS and infused over 20 minutes. Similar the other group, these participants will also receive 30 mg of immediate release oral diltiazem. In order to maintain the blind, this slow infusion group will receive the equivalent volume of IV 0.9% NS over 2 minutes as a placebo.

Drug: Diltiazem Injection

Interventions

Randomization to one of to active comparator groups

Also known as: diltiazem immediate release oral tablet, 0.9% saline
Diltiazem IV Slow InfusionDiltiazem IV push

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Be 18 years and older,
  • Present with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter with a rapid ventricular response
  • Have a 12-lead ECG (electrocardiogram) showing atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter with a rapid ventricular rate greater than 120 beats per minute.
  • Able to provide consent for self, or have a legally authorized representative available to provide consent by proxy.

You may not qualify if:

  • Altered mental status as a direct result of hemodynamic instability
  • Heart rate \>220 beats per minute
  • nd or 3rd degree atrioventricular block
  • QRS (time for ventricular repolarization) \>110 milliseconds
  • Temperature \>38 Celsius
  • Acute STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction)
  • Pulmonary edema
  • Unstable angina
  • Allergy to diltiazem
  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding
  • History of pre-excitation syndrome
  • Decompensated heart failure
  • Incarcerated persons

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Atrial FibrillationAtrial Flutter

Interventions

DiltiazemSaline Solution

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arrhythmias, CardiacHeart DiseasesCardiovascular DiseasesPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

BenzazepinesHeterocyclic Compounds, 2-RingHeterocyclic Compounds, Fused-RingHeterocyclic CompoundsCrystalloid SolutionsIsotonic SolutionsSolutionsPharmaceutical Preparations

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 4
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
CARE PROVIDER
Masking Details
Randomization will be managed by unblinded emergency department pharmacist. This individual will have knowledge of the assigned treatment group for each participant, knowing if diltiazem is provided as IV push or slow infusion. Unblinded pharmacist will also provide sham saline dose, opposite of assigned diltiazem treatment to maintain the blind to care providers.
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: A parallel randomized blinded model. Eligible and consented participants will be randomized to diltiazem IV push or diltiazem slow bolus. Each will receive an opposite sham infusion of saline provided as IVP push or slow bolus t0 maintain the blind. All participants will receive 30 mg oral dose of diltiazem. Standard of care measures will be provided concurrently as per routine care of patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter with rapid ventricular response Participants will be randomized in 15 blocks of 20 to ensure there are equal numbers of participants in each group for interim analyses. The randomization scheme will allow for 300 participants to account for issues, including dropouts.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

October 15, 2019

First Posted

October 28, 2019

Study Start

December 1, 2019

Primary Completion

December 1, 2021

Study Completion

December 1, 2021

Last Updated

October 28, 2019

Record last verified: 2019-10

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Data will not be shared