Skip to content

STOP AF First: Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation in an Antiarrhythmic Drug Naive Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

STOP AF First: Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation in an Antiarrhythmic Drug Naive Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03118518
Acronym
STOP AF First
Enrollment
225
Registered
2017-04-18
Start date
2017-06-23
Completion date
2020-06-25
Last updated
2025-02-13

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

Conditions

Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Fibrillation New Onset

Brief summary

To provide data demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of the Arctic Front Advance™ Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter for the treatment of recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, without the requirement that the subjects be drug refractory.

Detailed description

Subjects with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with no history of treatment with anti-arrhythmic drugs are randomized 1:1 to either an anti-arrhythmic drug or pulmonary vein isolation using the cryoballoon catheter.

Interventions

DEVICECryoablation

Pulmonary vein isolation via ablation with cryoballoon catheter

Antiarrhythmic drug initiation

Sponsors

Medtronic Cardiac Ablation Solutions
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* A diagnosis of symptomatic paroxysmal AF with the following documentation: (1) physician's note indicating recurrent self- terminating AF or paroxysmal AF; and (2) any ECG documented AF within 6 months prior to enrollment. * Age 18-80

Exclusion criteria

* History of AF treatment with class I or III antiarrhythmic drug, including sotalol, with the intention to prevent an AF recurrence. However, patients pretreated with above AAD for less than 7 days with the intention to convert an AF episode are allowed. * Prior persistent AF (cardioversion after 48 hours or continuous AF that is sustained \>7 days) * Left atrial diameter greater than 5.0 cm * Prior left atrial ablation or left atrial surgical procedure * Presence or likely implant of a permanent pacemaker, biventricular pacemaker, loop recorder, or any type of implantable cardiac defibrillator (with or without biventricular pacing function) * Body mass index (BMI) \>35 kg/m2 * Presence of any pulmonary vein stents * Known presence of any pre-existing pulmonary vein stenosis * Pre-existing hemidiaphragmatic paralysis * Presence of any cardiac valve prosthesis * Moderate or severe mitral valve regurgitation or stenosis * Any cardiac surgery, myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention/ percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery stenting which occurred during the 90 day interval preceding the date the subject signed the Informed Consent Form * Unstable angina * New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV congestive heart failure and/or known left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 45% * Diagnosis of primary pulmonary hypertension * Rheumatic heart disease * Thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia * Contraindication to anticoagulation therapy * Active systemic infection * Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy * Cryoglobulinemia * Known reversible causes of AF, including but not limited to uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, obstructive sleep apnea, and acute alcohol toxicity. * Any cerebral ischemic event (strokes or transient ischemic attacks) which occurred during the 180 day interval preceding the date the subject signed the Informed Consent Form, or any known unresolved complications from previous stroke/transient ischemic attack * Existing thrombus * Pregnancy * Patient with life expectancy that makes it unlikely 12 months of follow-up will be completed. * Current or anticipated participation in any other clinical trial of a drug, device or biologic during the duration of this study not pre-approved by Medtronic * Patients with contraindications to a Holter monitor * Unwilling or unable to comply fully with study procedures and follow-up

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants With Treatment Success at 12 Months After Antiarrhythmic Drug (AAD) Initiation or Ablation Utilizing the Arctic Front Advance™ Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter.Randomization to 12 monthsTreatment success after AAD initiation (control arm) or pulmonary vein isolation ablation procedure utilizing the Arctic Front Advance™ Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter (treatment arm). Treatment success is the opposite of treatment failure. Treatment failure was defined as any of the following: * Acute procedural failure (treatment arm only). * Documented AF/AT/AFL on ambulatory monitoring/12-lead ECG after the 90-day post-ablation blanking period (treatment)/AAD optimization period (control arm). Minimum of 30 seconds on ambulatory monitoring or 10 seconds on 12-lead ECG. * Any subsequent AF surgery or ablation in the left atrium. * Any subsequent cardioversion after the 90-day post-ablation blanking period (treatment)/AAD optimization period (control arm). * Class I or III antiarrhythmic drug (or sotalol) use after the 90-day blanking period (treatment arm only).
Primary Safety Endpoint - Rate of Composite List of Serious Adverse Events.Randomization to 12 monthsMeasured by rate of composite list of serious adverse events in cryoablation-treated as randomized arm. Includes: * TIA within 7 days * Cerebrovascular accident within 7 days * Major bleed that requires transfusion or results in a 20% or greater fall in hematocrit (HCT) within 7 days * Development of a significant pericardial effusion within 30 days. (One that results in hemodynamic compromise, requires elective or urgent pericardiocentesis, or results in a 1-cm or more pericardial effusion as documented by echocardiography). * Symptomatic PV stenosis within 12 months; accompanied by one of the following: 50%-75% reduction in diameter of the pulmonary vein, with symptoms not explained by other conditions; OR \>75% reduction in diameter of the pulmonary vein * MI within 7 days * PNI unresolved at 12 months * AE fistula within 12 months * Major vascular complication that requires intervention, prolongs hospital stay, or requires hospital admission (within 7 days).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Quality of Life Scores at Baseline Compared to 12 MonthsBaseline and 12 MonthsThere are two hypotheses tested in the objective, with separate hypothesis tests for (1) the difference in composite scores from the AFEQT questionnaire taken at baseline and 12 month visits, and (2) for the difference in composite scores for the EQ-5D questionnaire taken at baseline and 12-month visits. Composite AFEQT score is on a scale of zero to one hundred. Higher scores are better. Composite EQ-5D score is on a scale of zero to one. Higher scores are better.
Healthcare UtilizationInitial treatment through 12 months.Compare health care utilization between the treatment and control arms. There are two hypotheses tested in the objective, with separate hypothesis tests for: (1) the rate of total health care utilization events (cardiovascular-related hospitalizations, emergency room visits, or unscheduled office visits) over 12 months shown as freedom from cardiovascular health care utilization by treatment arm, and (2) freedom from cardioversions (electrical or pharmacological) over 12 months by treatment arm.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

The first enrollment in the STOP AF First study occurred in the United States on 23-JUN-2017. The final enrollment occurred on 13-MAY-2019.

Pre-assignment details

Of 225 enrolled participants, 210 met inclusion criteria and were randomized to treatment. Of the 15 who exited prior to randomization: 11 did not meet inclusion/exclusion criteria, 2 withdrew, 1 was lost to follow-up and 1 had study enrollment close prior to randomization.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Subjects Treated With Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation as Randomized
Subjects Treated with Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation as Randomized.
104
Subjects Treated With Antiarrhythmic Drug Initiation
Subjects Treated with Antiarrhythmic Drug Initiation.
99
Total203

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyEarly Exit after randomization but prior to treatment43
Overall StudyEarly Exit after treatment28

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicSubjects Treated With Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation as RandomizedSubjects Treated With Antiarrhythmic Drug InitiationTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
45 Participants50 Participants95 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
59 Participants49 Participants108 Participants
Age, Continuous60.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.2
61.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.2
61.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.2
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
2 Participants3 Participants5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
97 Participants91 Participants188 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
5 Participants5 Participants10 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants2 Participants3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
5 Participants5 Participants10 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
4 Participants1 Participants5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
94 Participants91 Participants185 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
104 participants99 participants203 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
41 Participants42 Participants83 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
63 Participants57 Participants120 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 1040 / 99
other
Total, other adverse events
8 / 10416 / 99
serious
Total, serious adverse events
16 / 10414 / 99

Outcome results

Primary

Percentage of Participants With Treatment Success at 12 Months After Antiarrhythmic Drug (AAD) Initiation or Ablation Utilizing the Arctic Front Advance™ Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter.

Treatment success after AAD initiation (control arm) or pulmonary vein isolation ablation procedure utilizing the Arctic Front Advance™ Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter (treatment arm). Treatment success is the opposite of treatment failure. Treatment failure was defined as any of the following: * Acute procedural failure (treatment arm only). * Documented AF/AT/AFL on ambulatory monitoring/12-lead ECG after the 90-day post-ablation blanking period (treatment)/AAD optimization period (control arm). Minimum of 30 seconds on ambulatory monitoring or 10 seconds on 12-lead ECG. * Any subsequent AF surgery or ablation in the left atrium. * Any subsequent cardioversion after the 90-day post-ablation blanking period (treatment)/AAD optimization period (control arm). * Class I or III antiarrhythmic drug (or sotalol) use after the 90-day blanking period (treatment arm only).

Time frame: Randomization to 12 months

Population: Subjects who were received the treatment they were randomized to (modified intent to treat).

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Subjects Treated With Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation as RandomizedPercentage of Participants With Treatment Success at 12 Months After Antiarrhythmic Drug (AAD) Initiation or Ablation Utilizing the Arctic Front Advance™ Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter.73.7 percentage of participants
Subjects Treated With Antiarrhythmic Drug InitiationPercentage of Participants With Treatment Success at 12 Months After Antiarrhythmic Drug (AAD) Initiation or Ablation Utilizing the Arctic Front Advance™ Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter.45.0 percentage of participants
Primary

Primary Safety Endpoint - Rate of Composite List of Serious Adverse Events.

Measured by rate of composite list of serious adverse events in cryoablation-treated as randomized arm. Includes: * TIA within 7 days * Cerebrovascular accident within 7 days * Major bleed that requires transfusion or results in a 20% or greater fall in hematocrit (HCT) within 7 days * Development of a significant pericardial effusion within 30 days. (One that results in hemodynamic compromise, requires elective or urgent pericardiocentesis, or results in a 1-cm or more pericardial effusion as documented by echocardiography). * Symptomatic PV stenosis within 12 months; accompanied by one of the following: 50%-75% reduction in diameter of the pulmonary vein, with symptoms not explained by other conditions; OR \>75% reduction in diameter of the pulmonary vein * MI within 7 days * PNI unresolved at 12 months * AE fistula within 12 months * Major vascular complication that requires intervention, prolongs hospital stay, or requires hospital admission (within 7 days).

Time frame: Randomization to 12 months

Population: Subjects who were cryoablation-treated as randomized (as was pre-specified in both the protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan)

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Subjects Treated With Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation as RandomizedPrimary Safety Endpoint - Rate of Composite List of Serious Adverse Events.1.92 percentage of participants
Secondary

Healthcare Utilization

Compare health care utilization between the treatment and control arms. There are two hypotheses tested in the objective, with separate hypothesis tests for: (1) the rate of total health care utilization events (cardiovascular-related hospitalizations, emergency room visits, or unscheduled office visits) over 12 months shown as freedom from cardiovascular health care utilization by treatment arm, and (2) freedom from cardioversions (electrical or pharmacological) over 12 months by treatment arm.

Time frame: Initial treatment through 12 months.

Population: All subjects treated as randomized (mITT).

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Subjects Treated With Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation as RandomizedHealthcare UtilizationFreedom from Cardiovascular health care utilization.69.9 percentage of participants
Subjects Treated With Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation as RandomizedHealthcare UtilizationFreedom from Cardioversion97.1 percentage of participants
Subjects Treated With Antiarrhythmic Drug InitiationHealthcare UtilizationFreedom from Cardiovascular health care utilization.53.5 percentage of participants
Subjects Treated With Antiarrhythmic Drug InitiationHealthcare UtilizationFreedom from Cardioversion92.4 percentage of participants
Secondary

Quality of Life Scores at Baseline Compared to 12 Months

There are two hypotheses tested in the objective, with separate hypothesis tests for (1) the difference in composite scores from the AFEQT questionnaire taken at baseline and 12 month visits, and (2) for the difference in composite scores for the EQ-5D questionnaire taken at baseline and 12-month visits. Composite AFEQT score is on a scale of zero to one hundred. Higher scores are better. Composite EQ-5D score is on a scale of zero to one. Higher scores are better.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 Months

Population: Subjects treated with cryoballoon catheter ablation as randomized (as was pre-specified in both the protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan) and who had QOL score available at both baseline and 12 month time points.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)
Subjects Treated With Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation as RandomizedQuality of Life Scores at Baseline Compared to 12 MonthsAFEQT composite score (change from baseline to 12 months)33.3 Score on a scale
Subjects Treated With Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation as RandomizedQuality of Life Scores at Baseline Compared to 12 MonthsComposite EQ-5D score (change from baseline to 12 months)0.04 Score on a scale

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 25, 2026