NCT05294445

Brief Summary

The study is a prospective, two-arm, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint, multi-center study to investigate the impact of first line ablation in patients presenting at the emergency room with recent-onset paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation.

Trial Health

75
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
350

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
32mo left

Started Dec 2021

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

13 active sites

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

Study Progress63%
Dec 2021Dec 2028

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 15, 2021

Completed
3 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

March 4, 2022

Completed
20 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 24, 2022

Completed
4.7 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 14, 2026

Expected
2 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 14, 2028

Last Updated

May 4, 2026

Status Verified

April 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

5 years

First QC Date

March 4, 2022

Last Update Submit

April 28, 2026

Conditions

Keywords

Ablation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Freedom from any atrial tachyarrhythmia

    Freedom from any atrial tachyarrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter and atrial tachycardias (\>30 s) through 3 to 12 months follow-up on ILR monitoring or any 12 lead ECG on visits, ECG Holter monitoring, or on symptom driven event monitoring

    within 3 to 12 months follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (9)

  • AF burden (1)

    within 3 to 12 months follow up

  • AF burden (2)

    within 0 to 12 months follow up

  • Freedom from atrial fibrillation

    within 3 to 12 months follow up

  • Freedom from atrial tachycardia and atrial flutter

    within 3 to 12 months follow up

  • symptomatic versus asymptomatic atrial tachyarrhythmia

    within 3 to 12 months follow up

  • +4 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Group1: Cryo-AF-Ablation

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients randomized in the Cryo-AF-Ablation group should receive the cryo AF ablation within 21 days from baseline.

Procedure: Ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF)

Group 2: Usual care

NO INTERVENTION

Patients randomized in the usual care group should start or maintain on AAD therapy within 21 days from baseline, based on decision of the investigator according to current ESC Guidelines.

Interventions

Cryo-AF-ablation of pulmonary vein (pulmonary vein isolation = PVI)

Group1: Cryo-AF-Ablation

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 85 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Documented, paroxysmal or persistent AF (longest AF episode \< 6-month duration). Any ECG documentation of AF (12 lead ECG, Holter ECG or mobile ECG monitoring) needs to be presented.
  • Recent-onset AF (≤ 1 year prior to enrolment)
  • Presenting at the emergency department or outpatient clinic within the last 2 weeks because of AF, including patients with spontaneous conversion in sinus rhythm (with prior AF documentation)
  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Subject is able and willing to give informed consent

You may not qualify if:

  • Pers. AF \> 6 Mon (one episode)
  • LA-Diameter \> 60mm
  • Severe mitral stenosis or regurgitation, prior mitral valve reconstruction or replacement
  • Any previous left atrial ablation
  • Ongoing continuous AAD therapy with Amiodarone at baseline
  • History of failed continuous AAD therapy with \> 1 agent. Exceptions are Beta blocker, Verapamil or "pill in the pocket"-therapy.
  • Any condition or disease, which is contraindication for AF ablation, up to the assessment of the investigator
  • Any condition or disease, which is a contraindication for antiarrhythmic drug treatment, up to the assessment of the investigator
  • Known intra-cardiac thrombus formation under continuous oral anticoagulation (defined as intake \>4 weeks)
  • Any contraindication for oral anticoagulation
  • Any untreated or uncontrolled hyperthyroidism or other reversible causes for AF like alcoholism
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding woman or woman of childbearing potential not on adequate birth control
  • Active systemic infection
  • Co-Existence of non PV-dependent atrial Tachycardia
  • Indication for implantation of ICD or pacemaker

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (13)

Kerckhoff-Klinik GmbH

Bad Nauheim, 61231, Germany

Location

Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité

Berlin, 13353, Germany

Location

Herzzentrum Uniklinik Köln

Cologne, 50937, Germany

Location

Evangelisches Krankenhaus Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf, 40217, Germany

Location

Cardioangiologisches Zentrum Bethanien (CCB) am Markuskrankenhaus

Frankfurt, 60431, Germany

Location

Universitätsklinikum Giessen

Giessen, 35392, Germany

Location

Asklepios Klinik St. Georg

Hamburg, 20099, Germany

Location

Universitäres Herz- und Gefäßzentrum

Hamburg, 20246, Germany

Location

AK Altona

Hamburg, 22763, Germany

Location

AK Nord

Hamburg-Nord, 22417, Germany

Location

Asklepios Klinik Harburg

Harburg, 21075, Germany

Location

Universitätsklinikum Münster

Münster, 48149, Germany

Location

St. Josefs-Hospital Wiesbaden GmbH

Wiesbaden, 65189, Germany

Location

Related Publications (22)

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  • Asad ZUA, Yousif A, Khan MS, Al-Khatib SM, Stavrakis S. Catheter Ablation Versus Medical Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2019 Sep;12(9):e007414. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.119.007414. Epub 2019 Aug 21.

  • Kirchhof P, Benussi S, Kotecha D, Ahlsson A, Atar D, Casadei B, Castella M, Diener HC, Heidbuchel H, Hendriks J, Hindricks G, Manolis AS, Oldgren J, Popescu BA, Schotten U, Van Putte B, Vardas P; ESC Scientific Document Group. 2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS. Eur Heart J. 2016 Oct 7;37(38):2893-2962. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehw210. Epub 2016 Aug 27. No abstract available.

  • Gunawardene MA, Hoffmann BA, Schaeffer B, Chung DU, Moser J, Akbulak RO, Jularic M, Eickholt C, Nuehrich J, Meyer C, Willems S. Influence of energy source on early atrial fibrillation recurrences: a comparison of cryoballoon vs. radiofrequency current energy ablation with the endpoint of unexcitability in pulmonary vein isolation. Europace. 2018 Jan 1;20(1):43-49. doi: 10.1093/europace/euw307.

  • Gunawardene MA, Hartmann J, Jularic M, Eickholt C, Gessler N, Willems S. [Therapeutic management of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation]. Herz. 2020 Sep;45(6):603-616. doi: 10.1007/s00059-020-04960-w. German.

  • Gunawardene MA, Eickholt C, Akbulak RO, Jularic M, Klatt N, Hartmann J, Schluter M, Meyer C, Willems S, Schaeffer B. Ultra-high-density mapping of conduction gaps and atrial tachycardias: Distinctive patterns following pulmonary vein isolation with cryoballoon or contact-force-guided radiofrequency current. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2020 May;31(5):1051-1061. doi: 10.1111/jce.14413. Epub 2020 Mar 9.

  • Schmidt M, Dorwarth U, Andresen D, Brachmann J, Kuck KH, Kuniss M, Lewalter T, Spitzer S, Willems S, Senges J, Junger C, Hoffmann E. Cryoballoon versus RF ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: results from the German Ablation Registry. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2014 Jan;25(1):1-7. doi: 10.1111/jce.12267. Epub 2013 Oct 17.

  • Dinshaw L, Schaffer B, Akbulak O, Jularic M, Hartmann J, Klatt N, Dickow J, Gunawardene M, Munkler P, Hakmi S, Pecha S, Sultan A, Luker J, Pinnschmidt H, Hoffmann B, Gosau N, Eickholt C, Willems S, Steven D, Meyer C. Long-term efficacy and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices and transvenous leads. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2019 May;30(5):679-687. doi: 10.1111/jce.13890. Epub 2019 Mar 10.

  • Stewart S, Murphy NF, Walker A, McGuire A, McMurray JJ. The current cost of angina pectoris to the National Health Service in the UK. Heart. 2003 Aug;89(8):848-53. doi: 10.1136/heart.89.8.848.

  • Jackson SL, Tong X, Yin X, George MG, Ritchey MD. Emergency Department, Hospital Inpatient, and Mortality Burden of Atrial Fibrillation in the United States, 2006 to 2014. Am J Cardiol. 2017 Dec 1;120(11):1966-1973. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2017.08.017. Epub 2017 Aug 30.

  • Ptaszek LM, Baugh CW, Lubitz SA, Ruskin JN, Ha G, Forsch M, DeOliveira SA, Baig S, Heist EK, Wasfy JH, Brown DF, Biddinger PD, Raja AS, Scirica B, White BA, Mansour M. Impact of a Multidisciplinary Treatment Pathway for Atrial Fibrillation in the Emergency Department on Hospital Admissions and Length of Stay: Results of a Multi-Center Study. J Am Heart Assoc. 2019 Sep 17;8(18):e012656. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.119.012656. Epub 2019 Sep 12.

  • Calkins H, Hindricks G, Cappato R, Kim YH, Saad EB, Aguinaga L, Akar JG, Badhwar V, Brugada J, Camm J, Chen PS, Chen SA, Chung MK, Nielsen JC, Curtis AB, Davies DW, Day JD, d'Avila A, de Groot NMSN, Di Biase L, Duytschaever M, Edgerton JR, Ellenbogen KA, Ellinor PT, Ernst S, Fenelon G, Gerstenfeld EP, Haines DE, Haissaguerre M, Helm RH, Hylek E, Jackman WM, Jalife J, Kalman JM, Kautzner J, Kottkamp H, Kuck KH, Kumagai K, Lee R, Lewalter T, Lindsay BD, Macle L, Mansour M, Marchlinski FE, Michaud GF, Nakagawa H, Natale A, Nattel S, Okumura K, Packer D, Pokushalov E, Reynolds MR, Sanders P, Scanavacca M, Schilling R, Tondo C, Tsao HM, Verma A, Wilber DJ, Yamane T. 2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm. 2017 Oct;14(10):e275-e444. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2017.05.012. Epub 2017 May 12. No abstract available.

  • Hakalahti A, Biancari F, Nielsen JC, Raatikainen MJ. Radiofrequency ablation vs. antiarrhythmic drug therapy as first line treatment of symptomatic atrial fibrillation: systematic review and meta-analysis. Europace. 2015 Mar;17(3):370-8. doi: 10.1093/europace/euu376. Epub 2015 Feb 1.

  • Kuck KH, Brugada J, Furnkranz A, Metzner A, Ouyang F, Chun KR, Elvan A, Arentz T, Bestehorn K, Pocock SJ, Albenque JP, Tondo C; FIRE AND ICE Investigators. Cryoballoon or Radiofrequency Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2016 Jun 9;374(23):2235-45. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1602014. Epub 2016 Apr 4.

  • Chun KRJ, Brugada J, Elvan A, Geller L, Busch M, Barrera A, Schilling RJ, Reynolds MR, Hokanson RB, Holbrook R, Brown B, Schluter M, Kuck KH; FIRE AND ICE Investigators. The Impact of Cryoballoon Versus Radiofrequency Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation on Healthcare Utilization and Costs: An Economic Analysis From the FIRE AND ICE Trial. J Am Heart Assoc. 2017 Jul 27;6(8):e006043. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.117.006043.

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  • Kapa S, Epstein AE, Callans DJ, Garcia FC, Lin D, Bala R, Riley MP, Hutchinson MD, Gerstenfeld EP, Tzou W, Marchlinski FE, Frankel DS, Cooper JM, Supple G, Deo R, Verdino RJ, Patel VV, Dixit S. Assessing arrhythmia burden after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation using an implantable loop recorder: the ABACUS study. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2013 Aug;24(8):875-81. doi: 10.1111/jce.12141. Epub 2013 Apr 11.

  • Manganiello S, Anselmino M, Amellone C, Pelissero E, Giuggia M, Trapani G, Giordano B, Senatore G, Gaita F. Symptomatic and asymptomatic long-term recurrences following transcatheter atrial fibrillation ablation. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2014 Jun;37(6):697-702. doi: 10.1111/pace.12387. Epub 2014 Mar 25.

  • Reissmann B, Wissner E, Deiss S, Heeger C, Schlueter M, Wohlmuth P, Lemes C, Mathew S, Maurer T, Sohns C, Saguner A, Santoro F, Hayashi K, Riedl J, Ouyang F, Kuck KH, Metzner A. First insights into cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation taking the individual time-to-isolation into account. Europace. 2017 Oct 1;19(10):1676-1680. doi: 10.1093/europace/euw233.

  • Kotecha D, Breithardt G, Camm AJ, Lip GYH, Schotten U, Ahlsson A, Arnar D, Atar D, Auricchio A, Bax J, Benussi S, Blomstrom-Lundqvist C, Borggrefe M, Boriani G, Brandes A, Calkins H, Casadei B, Castella M, Chua W, Crijns H, Dobrev D, Fabritz L, Feuring M, Freedman B, Gerth A, Goette A, Guasch E, Haase D, Hatem S, Haeusler KG, Heidbuchel H, Hendriks J, Hunter C, Kaab S, Kespohl S, Landmesser U, Lane DA, Lewalter T, Mont L, Nabauer M, Nielsen JC, Oeff M, Oldgren J, Oto A, Pison L, Potpara T, Ravens U, Richard-Lordereau I, Rienstra M, Savelieva I, Schnabel R, Sinner MF, Sommer P, Themistoclakis S, Van Gelder IC, Vardas PE, Verma A, Wakili R, Weber E, Werring D, Willems S, Ziegler A, Hindricks G, Kirchhof P. Integrating new approaches to atrial fibrillation management: the 6th AFNET/EHRA Consensus Conference. Europace. 2018 Mar 1;20(3):395-407. doi: 10.1093/europace/eux318.

  • Pokushalov E, Romanov A, Corbucci G, Artyomenko S, Turov A, Shirokova N, Karaskov A. Ablation of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation: 1-year follow-up through continuous subcutaneous monitoring. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2011 Apr;22(4):369-75. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2010.01923.x. Epub 2010 Oct 11.

  • Gunawardene MA, Gessler N, Wohlmuth P, Steven D, Eckardt L, Hoffmann BA, Metzner A, Heeger CH, Kuniss M, Ehrlich JR, Parwani AS, Bengel P, Kalkowski C, Willems S. From the Emergency Department, Directly to Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Rationale and Design of the EMERGE Cryo Study. CJC Open. 2025 Dec 4;8(2):197-205. doi: 10.1016/j.cjco.2025.10.019. eCollection 2026 Feb.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Atrial Fibrillation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arrhythmias, CardiacHeart DiseasesCardiovascular DiseasesPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

  • Stephan Willems, MD, PhD

    Asklepios Hospital St. Georg, Hamburg, Germany

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Masking Details
Additionally to ILR interrogation on each site, the ILR data will be reviewed by blinded core lab investigators. All observed primary endpoints and outcome parameters will be presented to ERC.
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: prospective, two-arm, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint, multi-center study
Sponsor Type
INDUSTRY
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

March 4, 2022

First Posted

March 24, 2022

Study Start

December 15, 2021

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 14, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 14, 2028

Last Updated

May 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations