Carvedilol for Prevention of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

• Status: Recruiting
• Trial end date: 2025-06-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained heart rhythm disorder and is associated with significant symptoms and health problems including an increased risk of stroke and death. Current drug therapies are often ineffective and associated with significant side effects. Abnormalities of calcium regulation in cells may lead to triggers for AF. Emerging data suggest that abnormal intracellular calcium regulation mediated through the ryanodine receptor in heart cells may contribute to AF. Recently the investigators have shown that the β-blocker carvedilol which is most commonly used to treat patients with heart failure, modifies calcium regulation mediated through the ryanodine receptor. At present this drug is not frequently used to treat AF. Therefore the investigators will conduct a randomized trial comparing carvedilol to metoprolol for prevention of paroxysmal AF. This may result in improved health and quality of life for people who suffer AF.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of Calgary
• Collaborators: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada; Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta
• Treatments: Carvedilol; Metoprolol

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must be in sinus rhythm at enrollment

• ECG documented symptomatic PAF (> 2 episodes of > 15minutes duration over a 6 month period)

Exclusion Criteria:

• AF due to reversible causes

• Contraindication or previous significant adverse reaction to Beta blocker therapy

• Persistent AF

• NYHA Class II or greater CHF

• LVEF < or = 35%

• Life expectancy < 1 year

• Geographic isolation

• Unable to give informed consent