NCT05148338

Brief Summary

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and has a rising prevalence due to an aging population. AF increases the patient's risk of hospitalization, heart failure and stroke and results into deterioration of quality of life. Treatment of symptomatic AF consists of either antiarrhythmic medication or a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) catheter ablation. However, lots of patients experience recurrence of AF in the first year after PVI. Previous studies showed that PVI outcomes depend on the presence of different treatable risk factors that influence the substrate for AF. Those risk factors include obesity, hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, alcohol use, smoking and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. However, research into the effect of treatment of those risk factors mainly consists of observational studies. Currently, it is not clear to what extent patients will benefit from comprehensive risk factor treatment prior to PVI in terms of ablation success and quality of life. The aim of the current randomized controlled trial is to determine the effect of a nurse-led, technology-supported, personalized care pathway on hospital admissions for cardioversions and re-ablation in patients with AF that are referred for ablation. Patients included in this study will be randomized to either the intervention group receiving the comprehensive risk treatment before PVI or the control group receiving standard usual care. Patients in the intervention group will visit the specialized AF nurse outpatient clinic and receive a personalized treatment plan (with a maximal duration of 6 months) including lifestyle interventions and medication. This includes sleep apnea screening with a Home Sleep Apnea Test (WatchPAT). Patients will also use the VitalHealth Engage platform. The digital platform can be used at home to report AF complaints, send home measurement and complete questionnaires. Furthermore, it supports the nurse in administering effective lifestyle changes by offering the patient personalized content and education. Both study groups will be followed up to 12 months after ablation, during which hospital admissions for cardioversion and re-ablation are evaluated. At baseline, AFEQT, EQ5D and TBQ quality of life questionnaires will be performed. The questionnaires will be repeated prior to ablation, at 3 and 12 months after ablation. At baseline, pre-ablation and after 12 months laboratory tests (such as cholesterol) will be performed to evaluate adherence to lifestyle interventions.

Trial Health

55
Monitor

Trial Health Score

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

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
150

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable atrial-fibrillation

Timeline
Completed

Started Dec 2021

Typical duration for not_applicable atrial-fibrillation

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
active not recruiting

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

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

October 25, 2021

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

December 8, 2021

Completed
8 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 16, 2021

Completed
3.6 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 29, 2025

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 29, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

August 21, 2024

Status Verified

August 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

3.6 years

First QC Date

October 25, 2021

Last Update Submit

August 20, 2024

Conditions

Keywords

pulmonary vein isolation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Number of hospital visits for cardioversion of AF and re-ablations

    All events that occur between study inclusion and up to 12 months after ablation, including events prior to ablation. This means that events during the risk factor treatment period are also included

    Up to 12 months after ablation or finishing risk treatment

Secondary Outcomes (11)

  • Number of hospital visits for cardioversion of AF

    Up to 12 months after ablation or finishing risk treatment

  • Number of reablations

    Up to 12 months after ablation or finishing risk treatment

  • The composite of mortality, stroke or hospitalization for heart failure or acute ischemic events.

    Up to 12 months after ablation

  • All-cause mortality

    Up to 12 months after ablation or finishing risk treatment

  • Number of strokes

    Up to 12 months after ablation or finishing risk treatment

  • +6 more secondary outcomes

Other Outcomes (8)

  • Medical costs

    Up to 12 months after ablation or finishing risk treatment

  • Cost-effectiveness ratio

    Up to 12 months after ablation or finishing risk treatment

  • Patient value

    Up to 12 months after ablation or finishing risk treatment

  • +5 more other outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Risk intervention group

EXPERIMENTAL

Comprehensive risk factor management at specialized AF outpatient clinic concerning blood pressure, cholesterol, glycaemic control, physical inactivity, weight control, smoking, alcohol intake and sleep apnea.

Other: Comprehensive risk factor treatment

Control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Standard of care. Treatment by cardiologist conform existing guidelines.

Other: Standard of care

Interventions

1. Apnea screening with Home Sleep Apnea Test. Referral to sleep physician if apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is greater than 5 2. Weight management counseling by dietician if body mass index (BMI) is above 27 kg/m2 3. Physical activity program under supervision of physiotherapist at a specialized cardiac rehabilitation centre if BMI is over 27 or if there are complaints during exercise 4. Smoking cessation at specialized outpatient clinic 5. Blood pressure control, lipid management, glycaemic control, alcohol intake reduction by specialized AF nurse 6. Motivation and education through a digital health platform

Risk intervention group

Standard usual care: Treatment by cardiologist conform existing guidelines

Control group

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 75 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Patients with paroxysmal or persistent symptomatic atrial fibrillation referred for initial catheter ablation
  • Patients should be native Dutch speakers
  • Patients are able to use the VitalHealth Engage platform on their own preferred device (tablet, mobile phone, computer)
  • The patient has at least one of the following risks
  • BMI ≥27 kg/m2,
  • hyperlipidaemia (LDL-cholesterol \>2.6 mmol/L or total cholesterol \>5.0 mmol/L),
  • hypertension (blood pressure \>130/90 mmHg),
  • diabetes mellitus with HbA1c ≥53 mmol/mol,
  • active smoking,
  • excess alcohol use (\>14 equivalent units of alcohol / week)

You may not qualify if:

  • Longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (persistent AF for more than 1 year)
  • Permanent atrial fibrillation
  • Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation
  • Prior catheter ablation
  • Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation consisting of one episode with a reversible cause (e.g. fever, surgery, thyroid crisis, ischemic)
  • Severe valvular heart disease
  • Prior or soon foreseen implantation of cardiac device such as pacemaker or internal cardioverter defibrillator
  • Patient is not willing to use a mobile phone application or willing to undergo elaborate monitoring.
  • Malignancy
  • Life expectancy \<1 year
  • Pregnancy

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Catharina Ziekenhuis

Eindhoven, Netherlands

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Vermeer J, Vinck T, de Louw B, Slingerland S, van 't Veer M, Regis M, Jansen JM, van den Heuvel E, Dekker L. Improving outcomes of AF ablation by integrated personalized lifestyle interventions: rationale and design of the prevention to improve outcomes of PVI (POP) trial. Clin Res Cardiol. 2023 Jun;112(6):716-723. doi: 10.1007/s00392-023-02185-5. Epub 2023 Mar 31.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Atrial FibrillationRisk Reduction Behavior

Interventions

Standard of Care

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arrhythmias, CardiacHeart DiseasesCardiovascular DiseasesPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsBehavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Quality Indicators, Health CareQuality of Health CareHealth Services AdministrationHealth Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation

Study Officials

  • Lukas Dekker, MD, PhD

    Catharina Ziekenhuis Eindhoven

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Lukas Dekker, MD PhD, Principal Investigator, Clinical Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

October 25, 2021

First Posted

December 8, 2021

Study Start

December 16, 2021

Primary Completion

July 29, 2025

Study Completion

July 29, 2025

Last Updated

August 21, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-08

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations