High-Intensity Interval Training prior to Pulmonary Vein Ablation in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation – a prospective, randomized controlled trial: Prehabilitation Study of the Cologne ExAfib Trial

High-Intensity Interval Training prior to Pulmonary Vein Ablation in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation – a prospective, randomized controlled trial: Prehabilitation Study of the Cologne ExAfib Trial - ExAfib-Prehab

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Phase 2

Study type

Interventional

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00017836

Enrollment

Registered

2019-08-19

Start date

2019-08-20

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-04-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

I48.0

Interventions

Group 1: High-intensity interval training on the stationary bike twice per week for 3 months, supervised by sports scientists and sports physicians. Group 2: Guideline-recommendation regarding physica

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

40 Years to 80 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: - Male and female patients - between the ages of 40 and 80 years - symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (EHRA = 2)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 80 years of age - significant limitation to the exercise of the intervention-arms - BMI = 35 - participation in regular aerobic or resistance exercise training in the last 6 months (> 60 minutes/week) - previous open heart surgery - left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% during sinus rhythm - significant valve disease - implanted cardiac pacemaker, ICD or resynchronization therapy - coronary artery disease without complete revascularization - unstable Angina - uncontrolled arrhythmias causing unstable conditions - uncontrolled hypertension - uncontrolled Diabetes mellitus - prior pulmonary vein ablation

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Freedom from atrial fibrillation: time to ECG-documented recurrence Burden of atrial fibrillation: episodes documented during Holter-ECG and questionnaire Data collection T0 (pre exercise intervention) T1 (3 months after ablation) T2 (12 months after ablation).	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Safety and Feasibility PVI-associated complications Physical fitness (VO2peak and strength) Muscle strength Subjective quality of life (SF-36) Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE): Stroke, myocardial infarction, death from cardiovascular cause Minor adverse events Adherence rate AF-associated hospitalization Body composition inflammatory markers (CRP, Interleukins) Collagen turnover markers Cardiac function (echocardiography incl. strain analysis) Blood pressure (24h) Arterial stiffness (pulse wave analysis) Heart rate (24h: min, max, average) HRV (in sinus rhythm) Muscle hypertrophy (diameter of Vastus lateralis) Data collection T0 (pre exercise intervention) T1 (3 months after ablation) T2 (12 months after ablation).	—

Measure

Time frame

Safety and Feasibility PVI-associated complications Physical fitness (VO2peak and strength) Muscle strength Subjective quality of life (SF-36) Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE): Stroke, myocardial infarction, death from cardiovascular cause Minor adverse events Adherence rate AF-associated hospitalization Body composition inflammatory markers (CRP, Interleukins) Collagen turnover markers Cardiac function (echocardiography incl. strain analysis) Blood pressure (24h) Arterial stiffness (pulse wave analysis) Heart rate (24h: min, max, average) HRV (in sinus rhythm) Muscle hypertrophy (diameter of Vastus lateralis) Data collection T0 (pre exercise intervention) T1 (3 months after ablation) T2 (12 months after ablation).

—

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactJonas Zacher

Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln

j.zacher@dshs-koeln.de+49 221 4982 5270

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026