Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
The normal heart rhythm depends on the regular electrical activity of the heart’s natural pacemaker cells – the sinus node. The sinus node is in the right upper chamber of the heart and usually ‘fires’ at about 60-100 beats per minute but it can be faster (during exercise, for example). The electrical impulse spreads through the heart to create a coordinated contraction between the upper and lower chambers. In atrial fibrillation (AF), the normal rhythm is lost due to abnormal electrical activity from an area around the pulmonary veins. This results in a chaotic rhythm in the upper chambers of the heart which stops them from contracting effectively. As the electrical impulse is transmitted to the lower chambers it causes the heart to beat in an irregular, often fast manner that responds poorly to the needs of the body. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disturbance and it is defined as persistent if it lasts for more than 7 days. This can cause unpleasant symptoms such as palpitations, breathlessness, and increases the likelihood of suffering a stroke. Traditionally, it is treated by electric treatment (cardioversion), with long-term medication, or more recently by catheter ablation. Catheter ablation is a procedure which involves passing specialised wires through the blood vessels at the top of the leg to deliver small burn marks (ablation) to regions of the heart that cause AF. However, it has been demonstrated, for different heart rhythm problems, that ablating the outside of the heart as well improves the long term outcome. The aim of this study is to see whether additional electrical maps and ablation of both the inside and the outside of the heart results in improved outcomes in persistent AF. It will help provide valuable information for the management of this condition.
Who can participate?
People who are over 18 years old, have documented persistent AF and are suitable for catheter ablation
What does the study involve?
Many of the tests and procedures involved in the study will be the same as those undertaken for a standard internal ablation procedure and include:
History & clinical examination – this will have been done in the outpatient clinic.
ECG – to check for AF.
Blood tests – blood will be taken for routine tests (blood count, kidney/liver/thyroid function, and blood sugar levels).
Echocardiogram – This is a heart ultrasound scan that looks at the heart muscle and valve function.
Cardiac CT scan – Some, but not all patients will have a CT scan of the heart as part of their routine investigations.
In addition to the standard procedure, there will be an additional mapping and ablation (if required) to the outside of the heart. In order to do this, one additional tube is inserted under the breast bone so that we can access the outside surface of the heart. Taking part in the study will add about 30-60 minutes to the procedure time in order to conduct the research. This extra time is needed for the additional electrical maps and ablation.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There is a possibility that there will be no benefit for the patient taking part in the study, but it could decrease the likelihood of a recurrence of AF.
Where is the study run from?
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
July 2020 to July 2023
Who is funding the study?
Abbott Laboratories (USA)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Duncan Fatz
duncan.fatz@nhs.net
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Ian Mann
ORCID ID
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4793-0673
Contact details
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Eastern Road
Brighton
BN2 5BE
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1273 696955
ian.mann2@nhs.net
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
Nil known
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Nil known
Protocol/serial number
CPMS 45979, IRAS 257470
Study information
Scientific title
Simultaneous Endo-Epicardial Mapping Of REcurrent Atrial Fibrillation (SEE MORE AF)
Acronym
SEE MORE AF
Study hypothesis
It is hypothesised that a combination of mapping and ablation to the inside and outside surface of the heart for patients with atrial fibrillation will improve the understanding of the causes of AF, and help improve the quality of ablation lesions, compared to procedures involving mapping and ablation to the inside surface alone. This might result in improved outcomes from ablation with regard to arrhythmia free survival.
Ethics approval
Approved 21/08/2020, East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee (The Old Chapel, Royal Standard Place, Nottingham, NG1 6FS, UK; +44 (0)207 104 8102, +44 (0)207 104 8101; cambridgeeast.rec@hra.nhs.uk), REC ref: 20/EE/0178
Study design
Observational cohort study
Primary study design
Observational
Secondary study design
Cohort study
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Diagnostic
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Atrial fibrillation
Intervention
The procedure will be performed by a Consultant Cardiologist or Specialist Registrar with experience of catheter ablation for AF, and experience of techniques to gain access to the epicardial space. All patients recruited will have a clinical indication for AF ablation. This involves the placement of catheters within the cardiac chamber. All procedures will be conducted under general anaesthesia.
Standard clinical procedure:
Following general anaesthesia, an ultrasound probe is inserted down the oesophagus to ensure that there are no blood clots within the heart. Small tubes will be placed in the femoral veins to allow specialised catheters to be placed inside the chambers of the heart. Access into the left atrium, where the majority of AF ablation is undertaken, is carried out using a standard technique called a transseptal puncture. This involves a fine needle being used to create a small hole from the right atrium into the left atrium to allow passage of catheters. Following this, treatment can be delivered by making a series of small burn marks to restore the normal heart rhythm. During the procedure, it is common that patients require the heart rhythm to be restored to normal with a specially timed electrical shock, called a cardioversion.
Research protocol:
The research protocol represents only a small modification of the standard clinical procedure. Ordinarily, access to the outside of the heart is not undertaken and would represent an additional step. To allow access to the outside of the heart, a small tube is inserted underneath the breast bone and within the space between the pericardium (sac surrounding the heart) and heart. Specialised catheters can be introduced through this tube to allow electrical maps of the outside of the heart to be created. Areas of interest on the outside of the heart can be treated with ablation in addition to the areas inside the heart chamber with the aim of improving success rates. This will prolong the procedure by around 30-60 minutes. A standard procedure without the research protocol takes between 2 and 4 hours.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Recurrence of atrial fibrillation using electrocardiography and clinical assessment at 6 and 12 months
Secondary outcome measures
There are no secondary outcome measures
Overall trial start date
01/07/2020
Overall trial end date
01/07/2023
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Documented persistent AF
2. Suitable for clinically indicated catheter ablation
3. Aged > 18 years
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
Planned Sample Size: 20; UK Sample Size: 20
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Pregnancy
2. Current enrolment in another trial
Recruitment start date
01/10/2020
Recruitment end date
01/04/2022
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Eastern Road
Brighton
BN2 5BE
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
Sponsor details
c/o Scott Harfield
2nd Floor Sussex House
1 Abbey Road
Brighton
BN2 1ES
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1273696955
scott.harfield@nhs.net
Sponsor type
Hospital/treatment centre
Website
Funders
Funder type
Industry
Funder name
Abbott Laboratories
Alternative name(s)
Abbott, Abbott U.S.
Funding Body Type
private sector organisation
Funding Body Subtype
For-profit companies (industry)
Location
United States of America
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
The researchers plan to publish study results in peer-reviewed journals, and present data at conferences.
IPD sharing statement
The data-sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date.
Intention to publish date
01/07/2024
Participant level data
To be made available at a later date
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list