The COLchicine and Atrial FIBrillation Trial

The purpose of this study to investigate the effects of colchicine on atrial fibrillation recurrence and vascular and cardiac function in patients with atrial fibrillation.

The study is an investigator-initiated, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial investigating the effects of colchicine in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The study population will consist of approximately 500 patients aged 18 years and above with a diagnosis of paroxysmic or persistent AF with a successful outcome of cardioversion. Patients will be randomized to either low-dose colchicine treatment (0,5 mg once daily) or placebo. Treatment will continue for 12 months. Patients will be assessed by measurement of time to first admission with AF (Electro Cardio Gram (ECG) confirmed), echocardiography, cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and blood samples at baseline and after 6 + 12 months.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Living address in the Capital Region of Denmark
2. Age \> 18
3. Diagnosed with paroxysmic/persistent AF.
4. Planned or acute admission for cardioversion of AF with successful outcome.
5. Female participants should either not be of childbearing potential, defined as postmenopausal for at least 1 year or surgically sterile, or is of childbearing potential and practicing one of the following methods of contraception throughout the study and for 30 days after study completion: Hormonal contraception (oral contraceptives, contraceptive implant, injectable birth control, contraceptive patch, or vaginal ring) or intrauterine device
6. Participants will have given written, informed consent and are able and willing to comply with the requirements of the study protocol.
7. Optimal background therapy (in relation to comorbidities and development of heart failure / thromboembolic event) for AF as judged by the investigator.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Colchicine treatment for another cause, e.g. gout
2. Allergy/hypersensitivity to colchicine
3. Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic BP \>180 mmHg or diastolic BP \>110 mmHg)
4. History of malignancy of any organ system excluding a successfully treated non-metastatic cutaneous squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma, localized prostate cancer and/or localized carcinoma in situ of the cervix
5. Cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis or other severe hepatic disease
6. Hemodialysis
7. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2
8. Systemic treatment with moderate or strong cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors or P-glycoprotein inhibitors (list in Appendix 1)
9. Permanent AF
10. Female participants who are pregnant, lactating, or considering becoming pregnant during the study or for 6 months after study completion
11. Significant drug or alcohol abuse during the last year
12. Current use of or plans to initiate chronic systemic steroid therapy during the study (topical or inhaled steroids are allowed)
13. Planned ablation procedure as treatment for AF
14. If cardiovascular surgery or ablation has been done the past three months prior to inclusion.
15. Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) or chronic diarrhea
16. Use of other investigational drugs within 30 days of the time of enrollment
17. Any surgical or medical condition, which in the opinion of the investigator, may place the patient at higher risk from his/her participation in the study, or is likely to prevent the patient from complying with the requirements of the study or completing the study.
18. Suspected AF, confirmed with ECG, at time of inclusion and randomization