Using SBRT to treat ventricular tachycardia
Noninvasive Cardiac Radioablation for 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.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 12 (estimated) |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Nova Scotia Health Authority Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Halifax, Nova Scotia) |
| Trial ID | NCT04162171 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) in patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) who have not responded to conventional treatments. A total of 12 patients will be recruited from a cardiology clinic, where they will undergo comprehensive imaging and mapping to develop a tailored treatment plan. The treatment will be administered using a TrueBeam linear accelerator, and patients will be monitored for outcomes at regular follow-up intervals. The goal is to provide a new therapeutic option for patients suffering from recurrent VT.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients with structural heart disease and a history of recurrent monomorphic VT despite previous treatments.
Not a fit: Patients who are unable to provide informed consent or have received prior radiation therapy may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the frequency of VT episodes and improve the quality of life for patients with refractory VT.
How similar studies have performed: While there is limited data on the use of SBRT specifically for VT, similar approaches in treating other cardiac conditions have shown promise.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Structural heart disease: ischemic or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy diagnosed with cardiac imaging demonstrating either segmental myocardial dysfunction, or presence of scar, AND * One of the following monomorphic VT events despite prior attempted catheter ablation (or contraindication for ablation), AND despite treatment with a class III antiarrhythmic drug (contraindicated, ineffective or not tolerated): A: Documented sustained monomorphic VT terminated by pharmacologic means, DC cardioversion or manual ICD Therapy. B: ≥3 episodes of monomorphic VT treated with antitachycardia pacing (ATP), at least one of which was symptomatic C: ≥ 5 episodes of monomorphic VT treated with antitachycardia pacing (ATP) regardless of symptoms D: ≥1 appropriate ICD shocks, E: ≥3 monomorphic VT episodes within 24 hours \*\* VT events must be confirmed by ECG/monitor or ICD download. Exclusion Criteria: * Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent * Have received prior radiotherapy to the likely treatment field * Inotrope-dependent heart failure or an anticipated life-expectancy of \< 1 year in the absence of VT * Presenting arrhythmia: polymorphic VT or ventricular fibrillation (VF) * Pregnancy * Active ischemia (acute thrombus diagnosed by coronary angiography, or dynamic ST segment changes demonstrated on ECG) or another reversible cause of VT (e.g. drug-induced arrhythmia), had recent acute coronary syndrome within 30 days thought to be due to acute coronary arterial thrombosis, or have CCS functional class IV angina. Note that biomarker level elevation alone after ventricular arrhythmias does not denote acute coronary syndrome or active ischemia.
Where this trial is running
Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia Health Authority — Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: John Sapp, MD FRCPC — Nova Scotia Health Authority
- Study coordinator: Karen Giddens
- Email: karen.giddensl@nshealth.ca
- Phone: 902 237-5551
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.