Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion in Dialysis Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Multicentre Pilot Study

NCT07257614 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2025.630
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Objectives: This pilot study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in dialysis patients and atrial fibrillation (AF) to establish a novel stroke prevention strategy and determine an optimal post-occlusion antithrombotic regime. Page 3 of 50 Hypothesis: The study tests the hypotheses that LAAO is safe for dialysis patients, that a single antiplatelet regimen postprocedure is safe, and that LAAO effectively reduces the composite endpoint of stroke/transient ischemic attack and major bleeding compared to standard care. Instruments: The study employs a multicenter, single-arm prospective registry design. Eligible participants, aged ≥18 with documented AF and ESRF on peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD), will undergo LAAO using the Watchman Flx PRO device. Propensity score matched historical cohort from dialysis registry will be identified for comparison. Main Outcome Measures: The primary endpoint is the composite of stroke/transient ischemic attack/systemic embolism and non-procedural-related major bleeding at one year. Secondary endpoints include individual rates of these events, procedural safety and device occlusion effectiveness. Data Analysis and Expected Results: Statistical analysis will involve descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and propensity score matching. A p-value of \<0.05 will be deemed significant. The pilot study anticipates a low peri-procedural complication rate (≤5%) and confirms LAAO's efficacy in stroke and major bleeding reduction in Chinese PD and HD patients compared to standard care. This data will inform the design of a larger randomized controlled trial aimed at validating LAAO as a safe alternative for AF management in dialysis populations.

Conditions

Dialysis; Chronic Kidney Disease (Stages 3b-5); Atrial Fibrillation; End Stage Kidney Failure; Stroke Prevention in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation; Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• 1 year transient ischemic attack

  Rate of transient ischemic attack in enrolled patient at 1 year

  1 year

• 1 year stroke rate

  Stroke rate of enrolled cases at 1-yera follow-up

  1 year

• 1 year major bleeding rate

  Rate of major bleeding (BRAC 3-5) of enrolled cases at 1-year follow-up

  1 year

Secondary Outcomes (17)

• 1 year systemic embolism rate

  1 year

• 1 year minor bleeding rate

  1 year

• LAAO safety endpoint

  7 days post-discharge

• LAAO safety endpoint

  7 days post-discharge

• LAAO safety endpoint

  7 days post-discharge

Study Arms (2)

Prospective cohort

Eligible participants, aged ≥18 with documented AF and ESRF on peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD), will undergo LAAO using the Watchman Flx PRO device, follow-up for 1 year post-operation to track their outcome

Retrospective cohort

Comparison of clinical outcomes (1 year stroke/TIA, major bleeding and CV death) with matched cohort identified from exisiting dialysis registry will be conducted.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study employs a multicenter, single-arm prospective registry design. Eligible participants, aged ≥18 with documented AF and ESRF on peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD), will undergo LAAO using the Watchman Flx PRO device. Propensity score matched historical cohort from dialysis registry will be identified for comparison.

You may qualify if:

• Age \>=18
• End stage renal failure on peritoneal dialysis or haemodialysis
• documented paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent non-valvular atrial fibrillation;
• CHADS2-VASc \>=2
• The patient is willing and able to comply with the required medication post-procedure and follow-up evaluations;
• Able to consent

You may not qualify if:

• Patients who require long-term anticoagulation for a condition other than AF, e.g. pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, anti-phospholipid syndrome
• Mechanical valve replacement
• Active infection with bacteraemia;
• Pregnant or nursing patients and those who plan pregnancy during the study period. Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy
• Known hypersensitivity or contraindication to aspirin, clopidogrel, heparin, any device material or component (nickel titanium, PET, polypropylene), and/or contrast;
• Left atrial appendage is obliterated and surgical ligated;
• Underwent any cardiac or non-cardiac interventional or surgical procedure within 30 days prior to the procedure or planned to have the interventional or surgical procedure within 60 days after implant procedure (e.g., cardioversion, ablation, percutaneous coronary intervention, etc.);
• Recent (within 90 days prior to procedure) stroke, transient ischemic attack, or myocardial infarction;
• New York Heart Association Class IV;
• Life expectancy is less than 1 year;
• Current participation in another investigational drug or device study.
• i. Moderate mitral stenosis or above ii. LVEF \<30% iii. Intracardiac thrombus iv. Presence of a cardiac tumour. v. Existing circumferential pericardial effusion \>5 mm; vi. Presence of a high-risk Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), defined as an atrial septal aneurysm (excursion \>15 mm or length \>15 mm) or large shunt (early, within 3 beats and/or substantial passage of 20 bubbles)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong: lead
• The Queen Elizabeth Hospital: collaborator
• Pok Oi Hospital: collaborator
• Tuen Mun Hospital: collaborator
• Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong: collaborator
• Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital: collaborator
• Kiang Wu Hospital: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

The Chinese Universityy of Hong Kong

Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Atrial Fibrillation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Renal Insufficiency; Kidney Diseases; Urologic Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urogenital Diseases; Male Urogenital Diseases; Chronic Disease; Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Heart Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Study Officials

• Kent Chak Yu So, Clinical Assistant Professor

  Chinese University of Hong Kong

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Daniel Xu

CONTACT

852-35051518; xjldaniel@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: OTHER
• Target Duration: 1 Year
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Clinical Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 20, 2025
• First Posted: December 2, 2025
• Study Start: January 5, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 5, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 5, 2028
• Last Updated: December 4, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HK (1)