Late-Breaking Clinical Trial Results Announced at Heart Rhythm 2008: 5A Study
Antiarrhythmic treatment immediately following AF ablation reduces the incidence of atrial arrhythmias

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ann-Marie White
Heart Rhythm Society
(202) 464-3476
awhite@hrsonline.org

Lucy McDonald: (202) 306-3456
Heart Rhythm 2008 Press Room: (415) 978-3520 (number effective May 14-17, 2008)

SAN FRANCISCO, May 15, 2008 – Antiarrhythmic drug treatment during the six weeks following atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is well tolerated and reduces the incidence of clinically significant atrial arrhythmias and the need for cardioversion or hospitalization according to new researched announced today at Heart Rhythm 2008, the Heart Rhythm Society’s 29th Annual Scientific Sessions..

The 5A Study, conducted by researchers at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, prospectively randomized patients with paroxysmal AF who had undergone ablation to receive antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD group) or to not receive empiric antiarrhythmic treatment (no AAD group).

“It is common for atrial arrhythmias to follow atrial fibrillation ablation early on and antiarrhythmic drugs are often prescribed during this period to reduce arrhythmia episodes, however, the benefit of this approach is unclear,” stated Jean-Francois Roux, MD, lead author and electrophysiology fellow at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. “Our study was designed to look at the differences in outcome between using empiric AAD treatment versus not using AAD treatment in patients with AF who had undergone ablation to determine if there are in fact benefits.”

In the AAD group, the agent was given to patients beginning the night of the procedure. In the no AAD group, only AV nodal blocking agents were prescribed. All patients wore a monitor with daily and symptomatic transmissions for four weeks after discharge and were evaluated at six weeks. Of the 110 patients enrolled, 53 were randomized to AAD and 57 to no AAD.

During the six weeks following ablation, 40 percent of patients in the no AAD group met the primary endpoint (composite of atrial arrhythmias lasting more than 24 hours, requiring hospitalization or cardioversion, or intolerance to AAD), compared to 14 percent in the AAD group. Three adverse events requiring drug termination included rash, headaches and severe fatigue.

More on Heart Rhythm 2008's Late-Breaking Clinical Trials.

About Heart Rhythm2008
Heart Rhythm 2008 takes place May 14-17 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. The meeting is the most comprehensive educational event on heart rhythm disorders, offering 250 educational opportunities in multiple formats. The world’s most renowned scientists and physicians will present a wide range of heart rhythm topics including advances in statins, cardiac resynchronization therapy, catheter ablation, cardiac pacing and heart failure and the latest technology, including state-of-the-art pacemakers and defibrillators.