Rate control therapy evaluation in atrial fibrillation
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN95259705 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN95259705 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | NCT02391337 |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | 2015-005043-13 |
| Protocol serial number | 32563 |
| Sponsor | University of Birmingham |
| Funder | National Institute for Health Research |
- Submission date
- 28/11/2016
- Registration date
- 29/11/2016
- Last edited
- 25/01/2021
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Circulatory System
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart condition that around 1 in 4 adults are at risk of developing. It is caused by a fault in the electrical control centre in the heart which is found in the upper right chamber (right atrium), causing it to fire erratically. These uncoordinated signals cause the heart to beat irregularly and often very fast (arrhythmia). Sufferers are typically elderly and often have a number of other medical conditions, including high blood pressure and heart failure. In addition, AF is a common cause of stroke, hospital admissions and early death, and leads to reduced quality of life. An important part of AF treatment is the control of heart rate however evidence as to which medication is the best for rate-control is and whether it can improve quality of life or heart function is currently lacking. The aim of this study is to find out which, of two treatments (digoxin or bisoprolol), improves quality of life and heart function.
Who can participate?
Adults aged 60 and over who have AF, symptoms of breathlessness, and ability to provide written, informed consent.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group are treated with digoxin through a drip once a day for 12 months. Those in the second group are treated with bisoprolol through a drip once a day for 12 months. In both groups, the dosage will vary depending on each participant’s clinical need. At the start of the study and then after 6 and 12 months, participants in both groups complete a number of questionnaires to assess their quality of life, heart monitoring to assess their heart function and blood testing to see how well their bodies are responding to treatment.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Although there may be no direct benefit to those participating, it is hoped that this study will benefit all future patients with atrial fibrillation. Patient will benefit from being seen more regularly than normal because they are taking part in a study and will have access to the expert study team. There is a small risk that having to take part in the questionnaires, tests and visits to the hospital might be an inconvenience. There is also a small risk of bruising or discomfort during blood tests.
Where is the study run from?
The study is run from Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sandwell and West Midlands Hospital and Heartlands Hospital and takes place at general practitioners' practices in the Birmingham area (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2016 to December 2019
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Dipak Kotecha
d.kotecha@bham.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences
University of Birmingham
Medical School
Vincent Drive
Birmingham
B15 2TT
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-2570-9812 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)7974 115676 |
| rate-af@trials.bham.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised; Interventional; Design type: Treatment, Process of Care, Drug |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Evaluating different rate control therapies in permanent atrial fibrillation: a prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded endpoint study comparing digoxin and beta-blockers as initial rate control therapy. RAte control Therapy Evaluation in permanent Atrial Fibrialltion (RATE-AF) |
| Study acronym | RATE-AF |
| Study objectives | The aim of this study is to compare two strategies of rate-control in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), based either on initial treatment with digoxin or beta-blockers. |
| Ethics approval(s) | East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee, 18/07/2016, ref: 16/EM/0178 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Specialty: Cardiovascular disease, Primary sub-specialty: Other; UKCRC code/ Disease: Cardiovascular/ Other forms of heart disease |
| Intervention | Participants are be randomised to one of two groups in a 1:1 ratio by a computer generated and stratified minimisation algorithm: Group 1: Participants receive Digoxin 62.5 – 250 micrograms once daily uptitrated according to response and symptoms. Group 2: Participants receive Bisoprolol 1.25 – 15 mg once daily uptitrated according to response and symptoms. Patients in both groups will remain on treatment for 12 months as part of the trial. The trial is testing the initial randomisation to either a digoxin or beta-blocker strategy. In both groups, additional therapy will likely be needed over the course of the trial. Follow-up takes place at 6 and 12 months, and involves quality of life measurement, heart ultrasound (echocardiography), blood tests and assessment of function (questionnaires and a walking test). Most patients will continue their treatment after the trial, according to their needs. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Patient-reported quality of life is measured using the SF-36 physical component summary score at baseline and 6 months |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Patient-reported quality of life is measured using SF-36 global and domain-specific scores, EQ-5D-5L summary index and visual analogue scale and AFEQT overall score at baseline, 6 and 12 months |
| Completion date | 31/12/2019 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 160 |
| Total final enrolment | 160 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Adult patients aged 60 years or older 2. Permanent AF, characterised (at time of randomisation) as a physician decision for rate-control with no plans for cardioversion, anti-arrhythmic medication, or ablation therapy 3. Symptoms of breathlessness (New York Heart Association Class II or more) 4. Able to provide written informed consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | Current exclusion criteria as of 22/06/2018: 1. Established clinical indication for beta-blocker therapy, e.g. myocardial infarction in the last 6 months 2. Known contraindications for therapy with beta-blockers or digoxin, e.g. a history of severe bronchospasm that would preclude use of beta-blockers, or known intolerance to these medications 3. Baseline heart rate history of atrioventricular node ablation 4. History of second or third-degree heart block 5. Supraventricular arrhythmias associated with accessory conducting pathways (e.g. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) or a history of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation 6. Decompensated heart failure (evidenced by need for intravenous inotropes, vasodilators or diuretics) within 14 days prior to randomisation 7. A current diagnosis of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, myocarditis or constrictive pericarditis 8. Received or on waiting list for heart transplantation 9. Receiving renal replacement therapy 10. Major surgery, including thoracic or cardiac surgery, within 3 months of randomisation 11. Severe, concomitant non-cardiovascular disease (including malignancy) that is expected to reduce life expectancy Previous exclusion criteria: 1. Established clinical indication for beta-blocker therapy, e.g. myocardial infarction in the last 6 months 2. Known contraindications for therapy with beta-blockers or digoxin, e.g. a history of severe bronchospasm that would preclude use of beta-blockers, or known intolerance to these medications 3. Baseline heart rate history of atrioventricular node ablation 4. Decompensated heart failure (evidenced by need for intravenous inotropes, vasodilators or diuretics) within 14 days prior to randomisation 5. A current diagnosis of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, myocarditis or constrictive pericarditis 6. Received or on waiting list for heart transplantation 7. Receiving renal replacement therapy 8. Major surgery, including thoracic or cardiac surgery, within 3 months of randomisation 9. Severe, concomitant non-cardiovascular disease (including malignancy) that is expected to reduce life expectancy |
| Date of first enrolment | 05/12/2016 |
| Date of final enrolment | 02/10/2018 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
Mindelsohn Way
Birmingham
B15 2TH
United Kingdom
Dudley Road
Birmingham
B18 7QH
United Kingdom
Lyndon
West Bromwich
B71 4HJ
United Kingdom
Birmingham
B9 5SS
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The current data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 02/12/2020 | 25/01/2021 | Yes | No |
| Protocol article | protocol | 20/07/2017 | Yes | No | |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
25/01/2021: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment was added.
06/10/2020: The intention to publish date has been changed from 31/01/2020 to 31/12/2020.
04/07/2019: ClinicalTrials.gov number added.
11/10/2018: The recruitment end date has been changed from 31/07/2018 to 02/10/2018.
22/06/2018: The following changes have been made:
1. The recruitment end date has been changed from 31/03/2018 to 31/07/2018.
2. Birmingham Heartlands Hospital has been added as a trial centre.
3. The intention to publish date has been changed from 31/07/2019 to 31/01/2020.
4. The overall trial end date has been changed from 31/08/2019 to 31/12/2019.
5. The participant exclusion criteria have been changed.
6. The plain English summary has been updated to reflect the above changes.
25/07/2017: Publication reference added.
