Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

This proposal aims to determine the effects of tVNS on autonomic tone, atrial substrate and neuromodulators in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), investigate the chronic effects of optimal tVNS on AF burden in patients with paroxysmal AF over a 6-month period, compared with sham stimulation, and identify physiological and biochemical markers of response to chronic tVNS.


Clinical Trial Description

This proposal aims to 1. To determine the effects of tVNS on autonomic tone, atrial substrate and neuromodulators in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), 2. Investigate the chronic effects of optimal tVNS on AF burden in patients with paroxysmal AF over a 6-month period, compared with sham stimulation, and 3. To identify physiological and biochemical markers of response to chronic tVNS. For Aim 1, patients with paroxysmal AF will be randomized to a series of stimulation frequencies (5Hz, 10Hz, 20Hz) and intensities (50% below, and 1mA lower than, the discomfort threshold, respectively) in a cross-over design, to define optimal effects and 'dosing' of tVNS. Heart rate variability, a marker of autonomic tone and PWA, will be derived from 5-minute ECG. A subgroup of these patients, who present to the Electrophysiology laboratory for AF ablation, will be randomized to active or sham tVNS, using the optimal parameters determined above, for 5 minutes prior to any ablation, under baseline conditions, during isoproterenol or atropine infusion, and their combination. PWA will be estimated based on a 5-min ECG. The level of NPY will be measured from peripheral vein and coronary sinus samples. In this this Aim we will determine the optimal parameters for tVNS, and if the response to tVNS is dependent on the underlying autonomic tone. For Aim 2, Patients with paroxysmal AF not undergoing ablation, will be randomized to active tVNS (1 hour or 30 minutes, daily) or sham tVNS (1 hour daily) for 6 months, using the optimal tVNS parameters determined in Aim 1. AF burden will be monitored continuously using a smartwatch. In addition, all patients will receive a short trial of acute tVNS at baseline. This Aim will determine the minimum duration of tVNS needed to achieve a decrease in AF burden. Patients participating in the clinical trial described in Aim 2, will comprise the population of Aim 3. The hypothesis is that patients who respond acutely to tVNS at baseline, as assessed by PWA, are more likely to benefit from chronic tVNS therapy. Blood samples will be collected from patients participating in Aim 2, and their NPY levels and metabolomic profile will be correlated with AF burden. The results of these studies will first, provide insights into the effects of tVNS on autonomic tone, AF substrate and neuromodulators, and second, permit optimization of tVNS using PWA, NPY and metabolomic biomarkers to reduce AF burden of afflicted patients. By introducing an optimized tVNS treatment protocol, results from our proposed studies have the potential to overturn the current scientific paradigm for treatment of AF, and thus, lead to major improvements in health care delivery. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT05172765
Study type Interventional
Source University of Oklahoma
Contact Natalia Wells-Serrano
Phone 405-271-4742
Email Natalia-WellsSerrano@ouhsc.edu
Status Recruiting
Phase N/A
Start date September 14, 2022
Completion date May 29, 2026

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Completed NCT05970120 - A Study of Intracardiac Ultrasound With the NUVISION NAV Ultrasound Catheter N/A
Recruiting NCT06014996 - Comparison of PFA vs. RFA in Patients With Symptomatic Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. N/A
Completed NCT03624881 - Evaluation of VISITAG SURPOINT™ Module With External Processing Unit (EPU) Phase 4
Recruiting NCT05416086 - iCLAS™ Cryoablation System Post-Market Clinical Follow-up (PMCF) Study N/A
Recruiting NCT05905835 - Treatment of PAF With the Synaptic System N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT05534581 - Comparison of Cryoballoon vs. Pulsed Field Ablation in Patients With Symptomatic Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Phase 4
Active, not recruiting NCT05618340 - PFA for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT05974098 - Quality of Life Influencing Factors
Not yet recruiting NCT05024630 - Renal Denervation and pUlmonary Vein isolAtion With cryoabLation on Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and hypErtension N/A
Completed NCT02610803 - Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke N/A
Completed NCT01913522 - Cryoballoon vs. Irrigated Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation: Double Short vs. Standard Exposure Duration N/A
Withdrawn NCT01917981 - Testing the Accuracy of a Personal Heart Rhythm Monitor to Detect Prolonged Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Phase 3
Terminated NCT01925885 - Focal Impulse and Rotor Modulation Ablation Trial for Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (FIRMAT-PAF) N/A
Completed NCT01693107 - Atrial Fibrillation Force Contact Ablation Study
Completed NCT01842529 - Botulinum Toxin Injection in Epicardial Fat Pads To Treat Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery Phase 2
Completed NCT00971204 - Clinical Study of the CardioFocus Endoscopic Ablation System - Adaptive Contact (EAS-AC) for the Treatment of Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation Phase 2
Completed NCT05043883 - Automated Assessment of PVI Using a Novel EP Recording System N/A
Recruiting NCT04529785 - Added Value of Vein of Marshal Ethanol Infusion Compared to Superior Vena Cava Isolation Alone in Patients Undergoing Repeat Ablation for Recurrent Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Despite Durable PV Isolation N/A
Completed NCT04022954 - HD Mapping of Atrial Fibrillation in Asia Pacific
Completed NCT00964392 - NAVISTAR® THERMOCOOL® Catheter Post Approval Registry Phase 4