Arrhythmia, Atrial Fibrillation, Heart Disease
Conditions
Keywords
atrial fibrillation, angiotensin II, angiotensin receptor antagonist, drug, controlled clinical trial
Brief summary
Hypothesis: Blocking the angiotensin (AT) II type 1 receptor (Olmesartan) reduces the incidence of episodes of atrial fibrillation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during 12 months by more than 25% compared to standard medication without angiotensin II type 1 receptor. A total of 422 subjects will be included in the two study groups. The treatment arm will receive 40mg Olmesartan per day, the remaining patients will receive placebo. Follow-up is 12 months. Daily Tele-ECG recordings will determine the cardiac rhythm and asymptomatic episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF) every day. Concomitant therapy with AV-nodal blocking drugs are allowed during the study. In case of severe AF-induced symptoms, an antiarrhythmic recovery medication (amiodarone) is allowed during follow-up.
Detailed description
Double-blind, central randomization, two treatment groups, stratified by beta-blocker use. 211 patients in each treatment arm.
Interventions
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
* Documented paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: ECG documentation of atrial fibrillation at least in one ECG recorded during the last 2 months prior to randomization plus additional ECG recording of sinus rhythm at least 12 hours after the above mentioned ECG documentation. * Age ≥ 18 * Patient informed orally and in writing * Written informed consent of the patient
Exclusion criteria
* Strong clinical evidence for therapy with AT II/ACE inhibitors * AT II/ACE inhibitor therapy within the last month * Therapy with antiarrhythmic agents of class I or class III within the last month, therapy with amiodarone within the last 3 months * Direct current (DC) cardioversion within the last 3 months * Symptomatic bradycardia * Implanted pacemaker or implanted cardioverter/defibrillator with any antitachycardiac algorithm in use * Cardiac surgery or cardiac catheter ablation within the last 3 months * Typical angina pectoris symptoms at rest or during exercise * Known coronary artery disease with indication for intervention * Valvular disease \> II degree * Left ventricular ejection fraction \< 40% * Diastolic blood pressure \> 110mm Hg at rest * Symptomatic arterial hypotension * Known renal artery stenosis * Serum creatinine \> 1.8 mval/l * Relevant hepatic or pulmonary disorders * Hyperthyroidism manifested clinically and in laboratory * Known drug intolerance for AT II inhibitors * Females who are pregnant or breast feeding * Females of childbearing potential who are not using a scientifically accepted method of contraception * Participation in a clinical trial within the last 30 days * Drug addiction or chronic alcohol abuse * Legal incapacity, or other circumstances which would prevent the patient from understanding the aim, nature or extent of the clinical study * Evidence of an uncooperative attitude
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Percentage of days with documented episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (number of days with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/number of days with at least one readable Tele-ECG recording) | 12 months follow-up |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Time to first occurrence of a symptomatic documented episode of AF | 12 months follow up |
| Time to persistent atrial fibrillation | 12 months follow up |
| Time to prescription of the recovery-medication | 12 months follow up |
| Time to first occurrence of a documented relapse of atrial fibrillation | 12 months follow up |
| Number of intermediate medical visits for cardiovascular reasons (-> Endpoint review) without hospitalization | 12 months follow up |
| Number of cerebrovascular events | 12 months follow up |
| Quality of life | 12 months follow up |
| Number of hospitalizations for cardiovascular reasons (-> Endpoint review) | 12 months follow up |