From the Emergency Department Directly to Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Study
EMERGE-Cryo
1 other identifier
interventional
350
1 country
13
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
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable
Started Dec 2021
Longer than P75 for not_applicable
13 active sites
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 Start
First participant enrolled
December 15, 2021
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
March 4, 2022
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
March 24, 2022
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
December 14, 2026
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
December 14, 2028
May 4, 2026
April 1, 2026
5 years
March 4, 2022
April 28, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
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 COMPARATORPatients randomized in the Cryo-AF-Ablation group should receive the cryo AF ablation within 21 days from baseline.
Group 2: Usual care
NO INTERVENTIONPatients 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)
Eligibility Criteria
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
- Asklepios proresearchlead
- Atrial Fibrillation Networkcollaborator
- Medtronic Bakken Researchcollaborator
Study Sites (13)
Kerckhoff-Klinik GmbH
Bad Nauheim, 61231, Germany
Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité
Berlin, 13353, Germany
Herzzentrum Uniklinik Köln
Cologne, 50937, Germany
Evangelisches Krankenhaus Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf, 40217, Germany
Cardioangiologisches Zentrum Bethanien (CCB) am Markuskrankenhaus
Frankfurt, 60431, Germany
Universitätsklinikum Giessen
Giessen, 35392, Germany
Asklepios Klinik St. Georg
Hamburg, 20099, Germany
Universitäres Herz- und Gefäßzentrum
Hamburg, 20246, Germany
AK Altona
Hamburg, 22763, Germany
AK Nord
Hamburg-Nord, 22417, Germany
Asklepios Klinik Harburg
Harburg, 21075, Germany
Universitätsklinikum Münster
Münster, 48149, Germany
St. Josefs-Hospital Wiesbaden GmbH
Wiesbaden, 65189, Germany
Related Publications (22)
Packer DL, Mark DB, Robb RA, Monahan KH, Bahnson TD, Poole JE, Noseworthy PA, Rosenberg YD, Jeffries N, Mitchell LB, Flaker GC, Pokushalov E, Romanov A, Bunch TJ, Noelker G, Ardashev A, Revishvili A, Wilber DJ, Cappato R, Kuck KH, Hindricks G, Davies DW, Kowey PR, Naccarelli GV, Reiffel JA, Piccini JP, Silverstein AP, Al-Khalidi HR, Lee KL; CABANA Investigators. Effect of Catheter Ablation vs Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy on Mortality, Stroke, Bleeding, and Cardiac Arrest Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: The CABANA Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2019 Apr 2;321(13):1261-1274. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.0693.
PMID: 30874766RESULTAsad 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.
PMID: 31431051RESULTKirchhof 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.
PMID: 27567408RESULTGunawardene 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.
PMID: 27742775RESULTGunawardene 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.
PMID: 32632547RESULTGunawardene 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.
PMID: 32107811RESULTSchmidt 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.
PMID: 24134539RESULTDinshaw 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.
PMID: 30821012RESULTStewart 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.
PMID: 12860855RESULTJackson 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.
PMID: 28964382RESULTPtaszek 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.
PMID: 31510841RESULTCalkins 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.
PMID: 28506916RESULTHakalahti 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.
PMID: 25643988RESULTKuck 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.
PMID: 27042964RESULTChun 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.
PMID: 28751544RESULTAndrade JG, Champagne J, Deyell MW, Essebag V, Lauck S, Morillo C, Sapp J, Skanes A, Theoret-Patrick P, Wells GA, Verma A; EARLY-AF Study Investigators. A randomized clinical trial of early invasive intervention for atrial fibrillation (EARLY-AF) - methods and rationale. Am Heart J. 2018 Dec;206:94-104. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2018.05.020. Epub 2018 Oct 18.
PMID: 30342299RESULTKapa 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.
PMID: 23577826RESULTManganiello 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.
PMID: 24665920RESULTReissmann 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.
PMID: 28201538RESULTKotecha 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.
PMID: 29300976RESULTPokushalov 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.
PMID: 20958836RESULTGunawardene 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.
PMID: 41766700DERIVED
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Stephan Willems, MD, PhD
Asklepios Hospital St. Georg, Hamburg, Germany
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
- 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