Catheter Ablation vs. Medical Therapy in Congested Hearts With AF

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study is a multi-center, randomized, unblinded, clinical trial. The objective is to determine if catheter-based atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is superior to medical treatment in patients with impaired left ventricular (LV) function who have been diagnosed with symptomatic AF within the past 12 months.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of the trial is to compare two different approved treatments for recently diagnosed AF: anti-arrhythmic medications and AF ablation. The study will be conducted to determine if one treatment is more effective than the other for patients with AF and heart failure. About 220 subjects with newly diagnosed AF from hospitals in the United States will take part in this study. Subjects will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to either AF catheter ablation or anti-arrhythmic medication for treatment of AF. Both therapies are considered Standard of Care.

Official Title
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Catheter Ablation vs. Medical Therapy in Congested Hearts With AF (CATCH-AF in Patients With Impaired LV Function): An Early Ablation Strategy Study Impact on Health Care Utilization

Conditions
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Congestive Heart Failure, Left Ventricular Failure, Atrial Fibrillation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Catheter Ablation
* Drug: FDA approved anti arrhythmic drug


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: must be 18 years of age or older Provide signed written Informed Consent symptomatic AF documented by EKG or heart rhythm monitoring within 12 months patients should be on optimal medical therapy for heart failure for 3 months prior to randomization. Adjustments to medications within this 3 month period are permitted. chronically impaired LV function defined as EF between 20%-45% within last 3 months all patients should be on an optimal therapy for impaired LV function ability to complete 6 minute walk test eligible for catheter ablation and anti-arrhythmic drugs Exclusion Criteria: women of childbearing potential unless post- menopausal or surgically sterile patients hospitalized for heart failure within the 3 months prior to randomization reversible causes of AF such as pericarditis, thyroid disorders, acute alcohol intoxication, recent major surgical procedures or trauma recent reversible LV impairment that may be attributed to AF with rapid ventricular response and may improve with introduction of rate control valvular heart disease requiring surgical intervention Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) requiring surgical or percutaneous intervention early post-operative AF (within 3 months of surgery) previous MAZE or left atrial instrumentation (including ablation and left atrial appendage exclusion) history of Atrioventricular Node (AVN) ablation hypertrophic cardiomyopathy prolonged QT interval liver failure renal failure requiring dialysis social factors that would preclude follow up or make compliance difficult- history of drug, alcohol or substance abuse contraindications to the use of AADs and/or anticoagulation therapy Currently enrolled in, or discontinued within the last 30 days from a clinical trial involving an investigational product or non-approved use of a drug or device or concurrently enrolled in any other type of medical research judged not to be scientifically or medically compatible with this study. severe pulmonary disease documented intra-atrial thrombus, tumor, or structural abnormality which precludes catheter introduction unwilling to comply with protocol requirements or deemed by the investigator to be unfit for the study.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Study randomizes subjects to already FDA approved treatment modalities. Approved anti-arrhythmic medications or AF ablation. There are no investigational drug or devices used.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: AF catheter Ablation<br>Pulmonary Vein Isolation catheter ablation for treatment of AF. AF catheter ablation is an FDA approved treatment for AF | Device: Catheter Ablation<br>* During ablation, a doctor inserts a catheter through blood vessels into the heart. The doctor looks at the electrical activity of the heart. The catheter is used to determine which areas of the heart are causing AF. After the area is identified, the doctor uses a special machine delivers energy through the catheter to tiny areas of the heart muscle that is causing AF. This energy causes a scar in the tissue which disconnects the pathway of the AF.<br>* Other names: Pulmonary Vein Isolation;|
| Active Comparator: FDA approved anti arrhythmic drug<br>FDA approved anti arrhythmic drug for the treatment of AF will be based on treating physicians' preference in accordance to guidelines. | Drug: FDA approved anti arrhythmic drug<br>* Anti arrhythmic drug medical treatment will be based on treating physicians discretion following standard clinical guidelines<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| First hospitalization for heart failure, recurrence of AF or Direct Current cardioversion | Time measured in days to first hospitalization for heart failure, recurrence of AF or Direct Current cardioversion after the treatment period (first 3 months post enrollment or post procedure during which repeat ablation can be performed and titration of AADs can be performed). | 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total number of cardiovascular hospitalization | total number of cardiovascular hospitalization measured by hospitalization admissions | 15 months | 
| Time to recurrence if AF lasting longer than 30 seconds | time measured in days to recurrence of AF lasting longer than 30 seconds | 15 months | 
| Distance walked in a 6-mile walk test | change in distance walked in 6 mile walk test | 3 months through 15 months | 
| Change in the Rand 36-Item Health Survey | change in the Rand 36-Item Health Survey reflective of change in patient's quality of life | 3 months through 15 months | 
| Change in Ejection Fraction (EF) | Change in Ejection Fraction heart failure measurement (percentage) | baseline through15 months |