Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2021 Nov 1;36(6):798-802.
doi: 10.1097/HCO.0000000000000914.

Recent clinical trials in atrial fibrillation

Thomas Flautt  1 , Miguel Valderrábano
Affiliations
Review

Recent clinical trials in atrial fibrillation

Thomas Flautt et al. Curr Opin Cardiol. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Management of atrial fibrillation can be overwhelming with the amount of information and treatment options available today. This review discusses landmark and other clinically relevant trials published in the last 18 months.

Recent findings: There have been several recent key clinical trials and subanalyses in the field of atrial fibrillation. Early rhythm control with ablation or antiarrhythmic medications has upended the previous practice of rate control for patients with atrial fibrillation. Vein of Marshall alcohol ablation in combination with endocardial mitral annular ablation and a hybrid epicardial/endocardial approach has shown promising results in the fight against persistent atrial fibrillation. Early ablation with cryoballoon therapy vs. antiarrhythmic therapy gives further evidence for early ablation in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Summary: The rapid development in technology and medications to treat atrial fibrillation, prevent stroke and improve quality of life for patients has created a vast amount of information for physicians to process. The present review will focus on the recent (within 2 years) clinical trials in atrial fibrillation and the impact they may have on your practice.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None

References

    1. Marijon E, Le Heuzey JY, Connolly S, Yang S, Pogue J, Brueckmann M, Eikelboom J, Themeles E, Ezekowitz M, Wallentin L, Yusuf S and Investigators R-L. Causes of death and influencing factors in patients with atrial fibrillation: a competing-risk analysis from the randomized evaluation of long-term anticoagulant therapy study. Circulation. 2013;128:2192–201. - PubMed
    1. Willems S, Meyer C, de Bono J, Brandes A, Eckardt L, Elvan A, van Gelder I, Goette A, Gulizia M, Haegeli L, Heidbuchel H, Haeusler KG, Kautzner J, Mont L, Ng GA, Szumowski L, Themistoclakis S, Wegscheider K and Kirchhof P. Cabins, castles, and constant hearts: rhythm control therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation. Eur Heart J. 2019;40:3793–3799c. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Kirchhof P, Radaideh G, Kim YH, Lanas F, Haas S, Amarenco P, Turpie AGG, Bach M, Lambelet M, Hess S, Camm AJ and Global XpI. Global Prospective Safety Analysis of Rivaroxaban. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;72:141–153. - PubMed
    1. Ruff CT, Giugliano RP, Braunwald E, Hoffman EB, Deenadayalu N, Ezekowitz MD, Camm AJ, Weitz JI, Lewis BS, Parkhomenko A, Yamashita T and Antman EM. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of new oral anticoagulants with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomised trials. Lancet. 2014;383:955–62. - PubMed
    1. Marrouche NF, Brachmann J, Andresen D, Siebels J, Boersma L, Jordaens L, Merkely B, Pokushalov E, Sanders P, Proff J, Schunkert H, Christ H, Vogt J, Bansch D and Investigators C-A. Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation with Heart Failure. N Engl J Med. 2018;378:417–427. - PubMed