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.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 162 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Western Sydney Local Health District Academic / other |
| Locations | 12 sites (Garran, Australian Capital Territory and 11 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05524077 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
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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
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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
- 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.
-
Registry for hereditary cardiovascular diseases in Brazil
This study is trying to create a registry of Brazilian patients with hereditary heart diseases to see how common certain genetic changes are in people with these conditions.
-
Using SBRT to treat ventricular tachycardia
This study is testing if a special type of radiation therapy can help patients with ventricular tachycardia who haven't found relief from other treatments.
-
Registry and biobank for arrhythmogenic ventricular cardiomyopathy
This study is trying to gather information and samples from people with arrhythmogenic ventricular cardiomyopathy and their families to better understand the genetic causes of the condition and improve early diagnosis for those at risk.
-
AI-powered ECG to help diagnose and locate tachycardia in patients with PSVT, WPW, PVC, or VT
A multicenter registry test whether an AI-enabled ECG analysis can help diagnose and localize tachycardia in adults with certain arrhythmias.
-
DuoVT PFA System for Treating Ventricular Tachycardia
This study tests whether the DuoVT Pulsed Field Ablation system can safely and effectively treat Ventricular Tachycardia in people with ischemic heart disease.
-
Sphere VT: Using Sphere-9 Catheter and Affera System to treat recurrent scar-related ventricular tachycardia
This study tests the Sphere-9 catheter and Affera mapping and ablation system in adults with recurring scar-related ventricular tachycardia after a prior heart attack.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.