Catheter ablation vs. anti-arrhythmic drugs for PVCs

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study compares catheter ablation to anti-arrhythmic medication for adults with premature ventricular complexes and normal left ventricular function. Eligible participants have a PVC burden of 10% or more and PVC-related symptoms. The trial aims to determine which approach more effectively reduces symptoms and improves quality of life, guiding future treatment decisions. Interventions include catheter ablation or medical therapy using anti-arrhythmic drugs and/or beta blockers, with follow-up assessments to monitor outcomes. The study excludes individuals with certain arrhythmias, pregnancy, limited life expectancy, or prior ablation for ventricular arrhythmia.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria

1. PVC burden of ≥10% as determined by ≥24-hour heart rhythm monitoring.
2. Normal left ventricular ejection fraction, defined as ejection fraction ≥50%.
3. Aged ≥18 years.
4. Symptoms due to PVCs according to the judgement of the treating physician.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent or comply with study requirements including study investigations, follow-up, medical adherence and completion of the assigned intervention.
2. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
3. Life expectancy ≤12 months.
4. Ventricular tachycardia (VT), defined as spontaneous VT lasting ≥30 seconds, haemodynamically unstable VT of any duration, inducible sustained VT during any electrophysiology study, or ≥10 episodes of non-sustained VT (\>5 consecutive beats lasting ≤30 seconds) within 24 hours on heart rhythm monitoring.
5. Previous catheter ablation for ventricular arrhythmia.
6. Clinically significant coronary artery disease, defined as a history of myocardial infarction, prior coronary revascularisation, inducible ischaemia on functional testing or obstructive coronary artery disease on coronary imaging. Any type of coronary assessment is permitted, although computed tomography coronary angiography is encouraged.
7. Moderate or greater valvular heart disease.
8. Known non-ischaemic or ischaemic cardiomyopathy or evidence of myocardial scar on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging suggestive of structural heart disease.
9. Known cardiac channelopathies including catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), Brugada syndrome and long- or short-QT syndrome.
10. In the opinion of the investigator or responsible physician, participation would not be in the patient's best interest or the patient would be unable to complete study procedures because of concomitant illness, physical impairment or mental condition.

Where it's running

• Westmead Hospital
  Westmead, New South Wales, Australia Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Saurabh Kumar, MBBS, PhD — Western Sydney Local Health District
• Study coordinator: Saurabh Kumar, MBBS, PhD
• Email: saurabh.kumar@health.nsw.gov.au
• Phone: +61288908140

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Using flecainide to treat frequent premature ventricular contractions and related heart issues

  This study is testing if the heart medication flecainide can help adults with frequent heartbeats and related heart issues who can't or don't want to have a procedure called catheter ablation.

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• Severe Complications During VT/PVC Ablation

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• Evaluating the need for cardiac MRI in patients with premature ventricular complexes

  This study is trying to see if heart scans are really needed for people with premature ventricular complexes to find any hidden heart problems.

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• Using Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for treating frequent premature ventricular complexes

  This study is testing if a new treatment using electrical stimulation of the ear can help people with frequent heart palpitations feel better and reduce their symptoms.

  Recruiting Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences · Beijing, Beijing Municipality · NCT04415203

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.