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INhalation of Flecainide to Convert Recent Onset SympTomatic Atrial Fibrillation to siNus rhyThm (INSTANT)

A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Study of Flecainide Acetate Oral Inhalation Solution in Single and Repeat Dose Regimens for Acute Conversion to Sinus Rhythm in Subjects With Recent Onset of Symptomatic Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03539302
Acronym
INSTANT
Enrollment
176
Registered
2018-05-29
Start date
2018-05-29
Completion date
2022-01-17
Last updated
2024-05-14

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

Conditions

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (PAF)

Keywords

Inhaled Flecainide

Brief summary

The study consisted of 3 parts (Part A, Part B and Part C). Part A was an open-label, randomized, multi center design to evaluate the feasibility of administration of inhaled flecainide in two dosing regimens. Part B was an open-label, multicenter design to confirm the safety (including tolerability) and efficacy of the optimal inhaled flecainide dose determined from Part A. Part C was an open-label, multi center study with exploratory objectives to explore the feasibility of patient-led self administration of flecainide. Part C also included an exploratory sub-study to assess the feasibility of implementing a portable cardiac ultrasound (HHE) at screening in an emergent setting.

Detailed description

Subjects eligible to participate in the study must provide written informed consent (IC) before randomization or any study- specific procedures. The study consists of 3 parts (Part A, Part B and Part C) as described below: Part A: was completed in March 2020 and was an open-label, randomized, multicenter design to evaluate the feasibility of administration of inhaled flecainide in two dosing regimens. Subjects were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to a single (N = 10) or repeat (N = 10) dose regimen. Randomization, for the initial 20 patients in Part A was stratified by duration of the presenting AF episode (≥ 1 h up to ≤ 24 hours; \> 24h up to ≤ 48h). After completion of the 60 mg dose cohort and review of safety/tolerability and PK data, additional subjects were enrolled in an additional repeat dose regimen (90 mg estimated total lung dose (TLD), N= up to 30 subjects. An additional dose cohort of 120 mg was added to Part A which utilized a different concentration of flecainide (75 mg/mL) and formulation (FlecIH-103). The final dose of 120 mg was selected as the dose to continue evaluating in Part B. Part B: was an open-label, multicenter design to confirm the safety (including tolerability) and efficacy of the optimal inhaled flecainide dose determined from Part A (120 mg, using the FlecIH-103 inhalation solution). Part C: was an open-label, multi center design study with exploratory objectives to explore the feasibility of patient-led self administration of flecainide. Part C also included an exploratory sub-study to assess the feasibility of implementing a portable cardiac ultrasound (HHE) at screening in an emergent setting. Upon return to the clinic with a recurrent episode of AF, eligibility was reconfirmed and the subjects self-administered the study treatment and inhalation regimen under medical supervision. If at 90 minutes after initiation of dosing, no conversion to sinus rhythm (SR) was observed, the Investigator was allowed to offer the subject another appropriate therapy. Discharge was left up to the discretion of the treating physician but no less than 90 min after initiation of dosing. Heart rhythm was confirmed with an Event Recorder during follow up. An independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) was responsible for monitoring safety during the study.

Interventions

Oral inhalation form using a nebulizer

Sponsors

InCarda Therapeutics, Inc.
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Masking description

Part A was open-label however subjects were randomized to either a single dose or a double dose. There was no masking and this was a single-arm study. Part B was an open-label, multicenter design to confirm the safety (including tolerability) and efficacy of the optimal dose from Part A. Part C was an open-label, multicenter design study to assess the feasibility of self-administration of FlecIH-103 under medical supervision. Part C also included a sub-study to evaluate a hand-held echocardiogram device to assess the feasibility of its use in an emergent setting.

Intervention model description

The 3 parts of the study were performed sequentially. Only Part A was randomized to assign subjects to either the 30 mg dose or 60 mg. Parts B and C were not randomized. There were no comparators in this study and no masking.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Subjects with recent-onset symptomatic AF at presentation, 2. With a duration at onset of symptoms from 1 hour to 48 hours, 3. And from one of the following categories: 1. First detected episode of paroxysmal AF 2. Recurrent episode of paroxysmal AF 3. Episode post-cardiac ablation for paroxysmal AF Subjects who: * are prescribed a pill-in-the-pocket regimen (flecainide or propafenone) for paroxysmal AF, or * are within 3 months of having undergone ablation of paroxysmal AF, or * have experienced an episode of new AF but are not currently experiencing an episode of recent-onset paroxysmal AF, or * are known to have paroxysmal AF (or previously diagnosed with paroxysmal AF) and have one or more previous symptomatic episodes but are not currently experiencing an episode of recent-onset paroxysmal AF may consent to pre-study screening prior to presenting with recent-onset symptomatic AF. These subjects will be eligible to receive study drug only when presenting with symptomatic paroxysmal AF of recent-onset (i.e., ≤ 48 hours), consenting to the full study, and after meeting all eligibility criteria.

Exclusion criteria

1. Subject \< 18 or \> 85 years of age 2. Hemodynamic and/or cardiac instability, with systolic blood pressure \< 100 mmHg or \> 150 mmHg, and/or ventricular heart rate \< 80 bpm or \> 150 bpm. For subjects to meet eligibility criteria, at least 2 of the 3 measurements of vital signs during screening (45, 30, and/or 15 minutes prior to dosing) must meet criteria. 3. Current AF episode treated with Class I or Class III antiarrhythmic drugs or electrical cardioversion. Subjects whose current AF episode has been treated with flecainide are eligible if their total cumulative exposure to flecainide (including the study drug to be administered in this study) does not exceed 320 mg within a 24-hour period, per site standard of care. 4. History of acute decompensated heart failure (HF) 5. History within 6 months prior to screening of, or present HF with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 45%, and/or Class II or higher HF as defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA), and/or medication history suggestive of HF, in the opinion of the Investigator. An echocardiogram with LVEF within 6 months of screening is required to demonstrate eligibility. If no echocardiogram is available, subject must undergo a diagnostic echocardiogram using a portable handheld ultrasound device (handheld echocardiogram; HHE) during screening to confirm eligibility. 6. Evidence of current ongoing myocardial ischemia, such as signs (e.g., significant \[e.g., \> 2 mm\] ST segment elevation or depression on ECG, echocardiographic findings suggestive of acute myocardial infarction), symptoms (e.g., angina pectoris, atypical angina pectoris), and/or being medicated with anti-anginal medication. In addition, subjects with signs of prior myocardial infarction (such as pathological Q waves) who are also taking concomitant medications for angina pectoris should be evaluated for presence of ongoing ischemia. 7. History of myocardial infarction (MI) within 3 months of screening 8. Known uncorrected severe aortic or mitral stenosis 9. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with outflow tract obstruction 10. Current diagnosis of persistent AF 11. One or more episodes of atrial flutter within 6 months prior to screening or atrial flutter at presentation 12. History of any of the following heart abnormalities: 1. Long QT syndrome 2. Conduction disease (e.g. second- or third- degree heart block, bundle brach block) 3. Diagnosed with sinus node dysfunction (e.g., sick sinus syndrome) and/or one of the following: (i) history of unexplained or cardiovascular syncope, (ii) known bradycardia suggestive of sinus node dysfunction, and/or (iii) prior electrical or pharmacological cardioversion associated with prolonged sinus or ventricular pause (e.g., \>3 seconds) and/or slow ventricular rhythm (e.g., \<45 bpm) at time of conversion Note: Sinus node dysfunction in AF is more prevalent in subjects \>75 years old. d) Brugada Syndrome e) Torsades de pointes (TdP) 13. Any of the following ECG-related features: 1. QTc interval \>480 msec at screening (estimated by the Fridericia's formula) 2. QRS duration ≥ 120 ms or history of previous documented wide QRS tachycardia 3. Predominantly (i.e., \>30%) paced heart rhythm 4. Ventricular tachycardia (VT, sustained or non-sustained), or excessive premature ventricular complexes (PVCs, \> 20 multifocal PVCs per hour), prior to dosing as per site telemetry. Site telemetry should be equipped with an alarm system for VT and PVCs or be continuously visually observed prior to dosing 14. Severe renal impairment (eGFR \< 30 mL/min/1.73 m2) or on dialysis 15. Known abnormal liver function prior to randomization/allocation (including hepatic disease or biochemical evidence of significant liver derangement known prior to randomization/allocation) 16. Uncorrected hypokalemia (defined as serum potassium \<3.6 mEq/L) at screening. If serum potassium result is \<3.8 mEq/L at screening, therapeutic correction (e.g., potassium supplementation) is strongly encouraged, although reassessing the serum potassium level is not required as long as a value ≥ 3.6 mEq/L is documented at screening. 17. Subjects with established pulmonary disease in need of inhalation medication. Subjects with COPD are excluded. Subjects with mild to moderate asthma that are not experiencing active symptoms at screening and whose asthma is well controlled with steroids and/or as-needed administration of a bronchodilator are eligible for the study. 18. Known hypersensitivity to flecainide acetate or any of its active metabolites 19. Concomitant therapy with systemic drugs that are strong inhibitors of CYP 2D6 (e.g. antidepressants, neuroleptics, ritonavir, some antihistamines) or CYP 2D6 inducers (e.g. phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine) 20. Treatment with Class I or Class III antiarrhythmic drugs within the last week. Subjects whose current AF episode has been treated with flecainide are eligible if their total cumulative exposure to flecainide (including the study drug to be administered in this study) does not exceed 320 mg within a 24-hour period, per site standard of care. 21. Treatment with amiodarone within the last 12 weeks 22. Subject is deemed unsustainable for the trial by the Investigator (including but not limited to: patients who are considered at high risk for stroke based on screening coagulation panel or medical history (e.g., CHA2DS2-VASc score); patients with congenital heart disease; patients with history of AF refractory to pharmacological or electrical cardioversion; patients whose AF is secondary to electrolyte imbalance, thyroid disease, or other reversible or non-cardiovascular cause; patients with episodes of syncope; patients with any serious or life threatening medical condition; patients with any acute infection). The subject may be deemed unsuitable for the trial by the Investigator if the subject is not able or willing to inhale the study drug. 23. Known drug or alcohol dependence within the past 12 months as judged by the Investigator 24. A body mass index \> 40 Kg/m2 25. Legally incompetent to provide informed consent (IC) 26. Previous randomization/allocation in this study or treatment with any other investigational drug within 30 days from screening or 5 half-lives of the drug, whichever is longer 27. Female of childbearing potential 1. Who are not surgically sterile, or post-menopausal (defined as no menses for 2 years without an alternative cause), or 2. For whom a negative pregnancy test is unavailable before study entry, or 3. Who are pregnant or breast feeding at study entry 28. Previous administration of flecainide for an episode of paroxysmal AF or new AF did not result in conversion of AF to SR (i.e., subject is considered a non-responder to flecainide) 29. Cardiac surgery for any of the exclusionary conditions (e.g., valvular disease, hypertrophy, coronary artery disease \[CAD\], etc.) within the last 6 months prior to screening 30. Respiratory rate of \> 22 breaths per minute

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants With Successful Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm90 minutesTo evaluate the conversion of AF to SR and symptom relief by inhaled flecainide acetate inhalation solution, under two oral inhalation dosing regimens in subjects with recent onset of paroxysmal AF. The subjects will be monitored via ECG and telemetry while in the hospital for 90 minutes.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
PK Objectives by Analyzing Blood Samples to Evaluate Peak Plasma Concentration (Cmax)90 minutesTo explore the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of inhaled flecainide under two oral inhalation dosing regimens in subjects with recent onset paroxysmal AF. Blood samples are collected from each subject for pharmacokinetic analysis.
Pharmacodynamics (PD) Objectives by Performing Serial 12-Lead ECG Recordings (Changes in QRS)90 minutesTo explore the electrocardiographic effects of inhaled flecainide under two oral inhalation dosing regimens in subjects with recent onset of paroxysmal AF. Serial 12-Lead ECG measurements are extracted from the Holter recording in triplicate before, after the allocated inhalation regimen and at the time of conversion to sinus rhythm for pharmacodynamic analysis.

Countries

Belgium, Netherlands

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Part A- Dose Escalation 30 mg FlecIH-102
To evaluate the feasibility of single administration of 30 mg flecainide acetate oral inhalation solution, FlecIH-102 for acute conversion of recent onset of paroxysmal AF to SR.
10
Part A- Dose Escalation 60 mg FlecIH-102
To evaluate the feasibility of repeat administration of 60 mg flecainide acetate oral inhalation solution, FlecIH-102 for acute conversion of recent onset of paroxysmal AF to SR.
22
Part A- Dose Escalation 90 mg FlecIH-102
To evaluate the feasibility of repeat administration of 90 mg flecainide acetate oral inhalation solution, FlecIH-102 for acute conversion of recent onset of paroxysmal AF to SR.
21
Part A- Dose Escalation 120 mg FlecIH-102
To evaluate the feasibility of repeat administration of 120 mg flecainide acetate oral inhalation solution, FlecIH-102 for acute conversion of recent onset of paroxysmal AF to SR.
19
Part A- Dose Escalation 120 mg FlecIH-103
To evaluate the feasibility of repeat administration of 120 mg flecainide acetate oral inhalation solution, FlecIH-103 for acute conversion of recent onset of paroxysmal AF to SR.
29
Part B- Dose Confirmation
Part B was designed to confirm the safety and efficacy of the optimal dose (120 mg) selected in Part A using FlecIH-103.
25
Part C- Cohort Expansion With Exploratory Evaluation of a Hand Held Echo Device
Part C was designed to expand the cohort for medically-led administration of flecainide acetate inhalation solution and to explore the feasibility of patient-led self-administration of flecainide acetate inhalation solution in a hospital setting under medical supervision. Part C also included the evaluation of handheld echo device used at bedside to assess feasibility of its use during screening in an emergent setting.
44
Total170

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002FG003FG004FG005FG006
Overall StudySpontaneous cardio version0000011

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPart A- Dose Escalation 30 mg FlecIH-102Part A- Dose Escalation 60 mg FlecIH-102Part A- Dose Escalation 90 mg FlecIH-102Part A- Dose Escalation 120 mg FlecIH-102Part A- Dose Escalation 120 mg FlecIH-103Part B- Dose ConfirmationPart C- Cohort Expansion With Exploratory Evaluation of a Hand Held Echo DeviceTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
3 Participants10 Participants4 Participants6 Participants12 Participants12 Participants15 Participants62 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
7 Participants12 Participants17 Participants13 Participants17 Participants13 Participants29 Participants108 Participants
Body Mass Index (BMI)27 Kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.9
26 Kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.06
27 Kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.86
28 Kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.4
26 Kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.7
27 Kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.85
27 Kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.07
27 Kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.97
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants1 Participants3 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Black or African American
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Not Reported
2 Participants1 Participants3 Participants1 Participants2 Participants0 Participants0 Participants9 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
White
8 Participants21 Participants18 Participants18 Participants26 Participants24 Participants42 Participants157 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1 Participants5 Participants7 Participants11 Participants10 Participants8 Participants16 Participants58 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
9 Participants17 Participants14 Participants8 Participants19 Participants17 Participants28 Participants112 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
EG004
affected / at risk
EG005
affected / at risk
EG006
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 100 / 220 / 210 / 190 / 290 / 250 / 44
other
Total, other adverse events
9 / 1016 / 2217 / 2116 / 1925 / 2917 / 2523 / 44
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 103 / 221 / 211 / 192 / 292 / 250 / 44

Outcome results

Primary

Percentage of Participants With Successful Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm

To evaluate the conversion of AF to SR and symptom relief by inhaled flecainide acetate inhalation solution, under two oral inhalation dosing regimens in subjects with recent onset of paroxysmal AF. The subjects will be monitored via ECG and telemetry while in the hospital for 90 minutes.

Time frame: 90 minutes

Population: Modified Intent to Treat (mITT)

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Part A- Dose Escalation (30 mg)Percentage of Participants With Successful Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm10 percentage of participants
Part A- Dose Escalation (60 mg)Percentage of Participants With Successful Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm35 percentage of participants
Part A- Dose Escalation (90 mg)Percentage of Participants With Successful Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm33 percentage of participants
Part A- Dose Escalation (120 mg) FlecIH-102Percentage of Participants With Successful Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm41 percentage of participants
Part A- Dose Escalation (120 mg) FlecIH-103Percentage of Participants With Successful Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm48 percentage of participants
Part B- Dose ConfirmationPercentage of Participants With Successful Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm50 percentage of participants
Part C- Cohort Expansion With Exploratory Evaluation of Handheld EchoPercentage of Participants With Successful Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm35 percentage of participants
Secondary

Pharmacodynamics (PD) Objectives by Performing Serial 12-Lead ECG Recordings (Changes in QRS)

To explore the electrocardiographic effects of inhaled flecainide under two oral inhalation dosing regimens in subjects with recent onset of paroxysmal AF. Serial 12-Lead ECG measurements are extracted from the Holter recording in triplicate before, after the allocated inhalation regimen and at the time of conversion to sinus rhythm for pharmacodynamic analysis.

Time frame: 90 minutes

Population: Safety Population

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Part A- Dose Escalation (30 mg)Pharmacodynamics (PD) Objectives by Performing Serial 12-Lead ECG Recordings (Changes in QRS)4.3 msecStandard Deviation 13.6
Part A- Dose Escalation (60 mg)Pharmacodynamics (PD) Objectives by Performing Serial 12-Lead ECG Recordings (Changes in QRS)2.6 msecStandard Deviation 4.9
Part A- Dose Escalation (90 mg)Pharmacodynamics (PD) Objectives by Performing Serial 12-Lead ECG Recordings (Changes in QRS)2.9 msecStandard Deviation 3.1
Part A- Dose Escalation (120 mg) FlecIH-102Pharmacodynamics (PD) Objectives by Performing Serial 12-Lead ECG Recordings (Changes in QRS)7.9 msecStandard Deviation 8.1
Part A- Dose Escalation (120 mg) FlecIH-103Pharmacodynamics (PD) Objectives by Performing Serial 12-Lead ECG Recordings (Changes in QRS)6.6 msecStandard Deviation 4.2
Part B- Dose ConfirmationPharmacodynamics (PD) Objectives by Performing Serial 12-Lead ECG Recordings (Changes in QRS)7.0 msecStandard Deviation 9.3
Part C- Cohort Expansion With Exploratory Evaluation of Handheld EchoPharmacodynamics (PD) Objectives by Performing Serial 12-Lead ECG Recordings (Changes in QRS)4.5 msecStandard Deviation 4.3
Secondary

PK Objectives by Analyzing Blood Samples to Evaluate Peak Plasma Concentration (Cmax)

To explore the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of inhaled flecainide under two oral inhalation dosing regimens in subjects with recent onset paroxysmal AF. Blood samples are collected from each subject for pharmacokinetic analysis.

Time frame: 90 minutes

Population: PK Population

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Part A- Dose Escalation (30 mg)PK Objectives by Analyzing Blood Samples to Evaluate Peak Plasma Concentration (Cmax)127 ng/mLStandard Deviation 99.5
Part A- Dose Escalation (60 mg)PK Objectives by Analyzing Blood Samples to Evaluate Peak Plasma Concentration (Cmax)213 ng/mLStandard Deviation 217.3
Part A- Dose Escalation (90 mg)PK Objectives by Analyzing Blood Samples to Evaluate Peak Plasma Concentration (Cmax)262 ng/mLStandard Deviation 28.7
Part A- Dose Escalation (120 mg) FlecIH-102PK Objectives by Analyzing Blood Samples to Evaluate Peak Plasma Concentration (Cmax)408 ng/mLStandard Deviation 263
Part A- Dose Escalation (120 mg) FlecIH-103PK Objectives by Analyzing Blood Samples to Evaluate Peak Plasma Concentration (Cmax)387 ng/mLStandard Deviation 209.1
Part B- Dose ConfirmationPK Objectives by Analyzing Blood Samples to Evaluate Peak Plasma Concentration (Cmax)323.4 ng/mLStandard Deviation 217.8
Part C- Cohort Expansion With Exploratory Evaluation of Handheld EchoPK Objectives by Analyzing Blood Samples to Evaluate Peak Plasma Concentration (Cmax)381.5 ng/mLStandard Deviation 236.6

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 13, 2026