Clinical trial No longer in our active list Interventional Ages 18 and up

Comparing catheter ablation and anti-arrhythmic drugs for treating ventricular tachycardia

Official title: Catheter Ablation Versus Anti-arrhythmic Drugs for Ventricular Tachycardia (CAAD-VT): A Randomised Trial

Run by Western Sydney Local Health District · NCT05524077 · Data updated 2026-05-14

This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.

This study is testing whether catheter ablation works better than anti-arrhythmic drugs for people with recurrent ventricular tachycardia caused by heart problems.

More Ventricular Tachycardia trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment162 (estimated)
SponsorWestern Sydney Local Health District
Academic / other
Locations12 sites (Garran, Australian Capital Territory and 11 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05524077 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are patients who have experienced at least one episode of sustained ventricular tachycardia in the past six months.

Probably not a fit

Patients who do not have a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia or those who are not candidates for catheter ablation may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of catheter ablation compared to anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs) in patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) due to structural heart disease. The study aims to determine which treatment option better reduces the recurrence of VT and improves patient quality of life. Patients eligible for the trial must have experienced at least one episode of sustained VT in the past six months. The trial will be conducted at multiple hospitals in Australia, focusing on patients with specific heart conditions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more effective treatment option for patients suffering from recurrent ventricular tachycardia, potentially improving their quality of life and reducing hospital visits.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia, suggesting that this approach may be effective, though this specific comparison with AADs is less established.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Patients will be eligible for inclusion if they have:

1. ≥1 prior episode of sustained VT in the prior 6 months;

   1. Spontaneous VT: ≥1 episode of monomorphic VT treated by anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) and/or internal shock by an ICD; lasting ≥30 seconds in the absence of intra-cardiac device therapy that could either be self-terminating or require reversion by pharmacological therapy or external cardioversion;
   2. Spontaneous VT: ≥1 episode of sustained spontaneous monomorphic VT lasting ≥30 seconds documented on Holter, ECG, Loop recorder or other cardiac monitoring device that could either be self-terminating or require reversion by pharmacological therapy or external cardioversion;
   3. Inducible VT: with syncope or palpitations - inducible VT defined as sustained monomorphic VT of CL ≥200 ms lasting for ≥10 s during a cardiac electrophysiology study (note with 4 extrastimuli with or without provocation with isoprenaline);
2. Already a recipient of an implanted cardiac device such as a pacemaker, defibrillator or a cardiac resynchronisation therapy device and/or is indicated to receive one given a new diagnosis of structural heart disease, based on current guideline recommendations;
3. Aged ≥18 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients will be excluded if they are:

1. Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent or patients physician feels there is not significant equipoise to justify randomisation;
2. Women who are pregnant, breast feeding;
3. Medical illness with an anticipated life expectancy \<3 months;
4. Unable to complete study procedures or unwilling to be followed up;
5. Have a concomitant illness, physical impairment or mental condition which in the opinion of the study team/ primary care physician could interfere with the conduct of the study including outcome assessments;
6. Known channelopathy such as long QT, short QT, Brugada syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic VT;
7. Known prior diagnosis of no structural heart disease, or idiopathic ventricular arrhythmia.

Where it's running

  • Blacktown Hospital
    Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
    Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Nepean Hospital
    Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • John Hunter Hospital
    New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Royal North Shore Hospital
    Saint Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Westmead Hospital
    Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
Show 6 more locations
  • The Prince Charles Hospital
    Chermside, Queensland, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Gold Coast University Hospital
    Southport, Queensland, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Royal Adelaide Hospital
    Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
    Recruiting
  • The Alfred Hospital
    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
    Recruiting
  • The Canberra Hospital
    Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
    Not yet recruiting
  • The Royal Melbourne Hospital
    Parkville, Victoria, Australia
    Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.