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A Randomised Trial of S-ICD Implantation With and Without Defibrillation Testing

A Prospective Randomised CompArative Trial of SubcutanEous ImplanTable CardiOverter-DefibrillatoR ImplANtation With and Without DeFibrillation Testing

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03495297
Acronym
PRAETORIAN-DFT
Enrollment
965
Registered
2018-04-12
Start date
2018-05-07
Completion date
2025-04-01
Last updated
2026-06-10

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

Conditions

Ventricular Arrythmia

Keywords

subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator, Defibrillation testing

Brief summary

This study will test the hypothesis that implantation of a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) without performing a defibrillation test is non-inferior to S-ICD implant with a defibrillation test with regards to the primary endpoint failed first shock in a spontaneous arrhythmia episode when implant position is confirmed with PRAETORIAN score.

Detailed description

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) implant improves survival in patients with a higher risk for sudden cardiac death. There are 2 types of ICD available; transvenous ICD (TV-ICD) and subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD). During ICD implant, defibrillation testing (DFT) is performed to test functionality of the device. However, DFT can be associated with complications such as inability to convert, complications arising from general anaesthesia, prolonged resuscitation, stroke and death. Whereas DFT may be associated with complications, the benefit of DFT is debated as literature shows there is only a modest average effect of DFT, if any, on mortality, shock efficacy or safety. Recently it was shown in a randomized controlled trial called 'SIMPLE' that routine defibrillation testing of TV-ICDs at the time of implant does not improve shock efficacy or reduce arrhythmic death. For S-ICD there is only limited data available of the effect of DFT on S-ICD efficacy. Data have however shown that the conversion efficacy of the S-ICD is comparable to TV-ICD. DFT is currently performed in standard S-ICD implants, but is omitted in specific cases. However, an alternative method to evaluate the correct position may be desired when omitting DFT. The PRAETORIAN Score is developed using computer modelling data on factors influencing defibrillation thresholds. The PRAETORIAN score represents the chance of a patient having an elevated defibrillation threshold and consequently failing a DFT or conversion of a spontaneous arrhythmia episode. The score was retrospectively validated in two studies with 180 and 321 patients. It was reported that most S-ICD implants are performed under general anesthesia, however other anesthesia protocols are used as well. One of the most predominant factors to use general anesthesia is the performance of the DFT. If this is omitted, other anesthesia protocols may be a good option for many patients as well.

Interventions

PROCEDUREommitence of defibrillation testing

Induction of a ventricular arrhythmia to test proper arrhythmia detection and termination by the implanted device is omitted

Sponsors

Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)
Lead SponsorOTHER
Boston Scientific Corporation
CollaboratorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Patients who meet current guidelines for ICD therapy and intent to undergo a de novo implant procedure for an S-ICD * Patients must pass S-ICD screening per local routine * Patients over 18 years of age, willing and capable to give informed consent * Patients must be willing and capable of complying to follow up visits * Patient must be eligible for either DFT strategy per physician discretion

Exclusion criteria

* Patient with a life expectancy shorter than 12 months due to any medical condition * Patients known to be pregnant * Patients with intracardiac thrombus * Patients with atrial fibrillation without appropriate anticoagulation * Patients likely to undergo heart transplant within 12 months * Patients with LVAD * Patients with other contra-indications for DFT per physician's discretion

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Failed first appropriate shock in a spontaneous episode40 monthsNumber of patients having experiences a failed first appropriate shock in a spontaneous arrhythmia episode

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
DFT related complications24 hours or 30 daysNumber of patients experiencing DFT related complications occurring within 24h or 30 days after DFT
PRAETORIAN Scoreup to 24 hoursImplant position will be scored using the PRAETORIAN score
Pain post implant1-4 hours post implantPain score measured with McGill questionnaire
Appropriate ICD therapy40 monthsShocks given for VT or VF
Inappropriate ICD therapy40 monthsShocks given for anything else than VT or VF
Overall DFT conversion success40 monthsThe percentage of patients with at least one induced episode teminated by an S-ICD shock within five seconds post shock delivery
Successful DFT40 monthsA successful DFT is defined as conversion to SR or AF in less than 5 seconds from appropriate shock delivery.
Time to therapy40 monthsTime to therapy is the time between the start of VT or VF in a treated episode until the first shock in seconds.
Time to succesful therapy40 monthsTime to successful therapy is the time between the start of VT or VF until the first successful shock.
Shock efficacy40 monthsPercentage of appropriate shocks that was successfull
Conversion efficacy within 5 shocks in spontaneous episodes40 monthsConversion efficacy within 5 shocks in spontaneous episodes
S-ICD related complications40 monthsS-ICD related complications requiring invasive intervention
MACE post DFT30 daysNumber of Major Adverse Cardiac Events after DFT procedure
Cardiac (pre-)syncope40 monthsNumber of episodes of cardiac (pre-)syncope
Cardiac decompensation40 monthsNumber of episodes of cardiac decompensation
Mortality40 monthsAll cause mortality; arrhythmic death; cardiovascular death; unexplained death
Length of hospitalization40 monthsLength of hospitalization post implant (nights)
Device or lead repositioning40 monthsNumber of procedures for device or lead repositioning
ICD related infection40 monthsNumber of infections related to implanted ICD
Composite complications 30 days after implant30 daysNumber of patients experiencing complications occurring within 30 days after implant

Countries

Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORReinoud E Knops, MD, PhD

Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 11, 2026