Atrial Fibrillation-related Clinical Trials

November 10, 2007 6:20 AM CT

There were several clinical trials related to atrial fibrillation that were reported on at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2007 in Orlando. Click on the links below for the full reports.

Study compares strategies to save heart failure, atrial fibrillation patients – 11/6/07

Results of the Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure (AF-CHF) trial found no significant difference in mortality between those treated with rate control and rhythm control, suggesting that rhythm control should not be advocated over rate control for those with both atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure.

Major European study of device therapy aimed at preventing permanent atrial fibrillation – 11/6/07

The MASCOT trial analyzed use of cardiac resynchronization therapy to prevent the development of atrial fibrillation in heart failure patients. Results indicated a trend toward reducing mortality, but the results were not statistically significant, indicating that overdrive atrial pacing does not prevent heart failure patients from developing permanent atrial fibrillation.
Presentation and slides

Genetic data provided in real-time studied in blood-thinning therapy – 11/7/07

The COUMA-GEN trial looked at genotyping to fine tune warfarin doses for patients. Genotyping involves taking DNA samples from the inside of the cheek to check for liver and metabolism issues that can affect an individual’s sensitivity to medication. This trial proved that genotyping is possible, but the expected outcomes were not achieved, so more research is needed.
Presentation and slides