Intramural Needle Ablation for the Treatment of Refractory Ventricular Arrhythmias

September 14, 2021 updated by: Vivek Reddy
This study will examine the safety and efficacy of intramural needle ablation (INA) in the treatment of intramural ventricular arrhythmias in patients for whom standard RF ablation has been unsuccessful. The clinical team hypothesize that the increased current density and improved rates of transmural lesion creation seen with intramural needle ablation will lead to successful arrhythmia termination with minimal or no increased risk of complication.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is the most commonly employed method for the catheter treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Myocardial scar serves as the most frequent substrate for the genesis of both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Such scar frequently contains surviving myocyte bundles interspersed with fibrotic tissue, which leads to slow conduction. Areas of denser fibrosis cause conduction block. When appropriately arranged, conduction through or around these scars leads to the creation of a "reentry" circuit through which an arrhythmia is generated and maintained. Each reentry circuit contains within it an area called the isthmus, a portion of the circuit located in a position intimately related to the scar border zone. Electrical activation travels slowly through the isthmus before breaking out into normal myocardium. Ablation at the site of an isthmus will terminate a reentrant tachycardia.

A variety of techniques, including electroanatomic mapping and activation, entrainment, and substrate mapping, are employed during electrophysiologic (EP) study to identify areas of myocardial scar and potential isthmus sites. Points or lines of ablation using RF energy are then created in an attempt to interrupt the reentry circuit. Typically, RF energy is applied via a catheter tip electrode to the endocardial or epicardial surface of the heart and grounded via an electrode pad placed on the patient's skin. RF energy in this setting is dispersed through the entirety of the tissue between catheter tip and grounding pad. The standard 7-French, 4-mm tip catheters are highly successful at ablating circuits located within a few millimeters of the catheter tip. A focal, 1mm area of resistive heating occurs within the myocardium immediately in contact with the catheter tip; myocardial cell death occurs several millimeters more deeply through passive, conductive heating, which spreads outward from the contact point.

While the standard catheter is effective at the ablation of superficial arrhythmias, it has proven more problematic when used for deep myocardial sites or for creating transmural lesions. A number of alternatives have been developed in an attempt to access these sites. 8-mm or 10-mm catheter tips are able to create larger zones of resistive heating, delivering direct RF energy to a larger area of myocardium. A larger interface between catheter tip and blood improves cooling and allows for the delivery of more power without a rise in impedance.The clinical use of these larger catheters can, however, be limited by rapid temperature rises at the catheter-tissue interface, resulting in thrombus formation, char, and "steam pop" rupture of the endocardial surface. The use of irrigated ablation catheters have improved upon the ability to deliver RF energy without a sustained rise in impedance. Both open irrigated- and closed-loop irrigated catheters circulate saline along the catheter tip-myocardial interface, allowing for continued delivery of RF current without thrombus formation at the endocardial surface. Intramyocardial temperature rises accordingly without a concomitant endocardial temperature surge, creating larger and deeper myocardial ablation zones. Transcoronary ethanol ablation has also been employed with moderate success in patients with arrhythmias resistant to endocardial catheter ablation.This technology, however, grants only limited control over the size of the resulting infarct and is restricted by the need for perfusion of the scar zone by an accessible coronary artery.

Nevertheless, there remain occasions in which an arrhythmia cannot be eliminated by standard ablation techniques. This is seen most frequently due to deep intramural ventricular tachycardia, sometimes encountered following myocardial infarction. Both standard and alternative ablation strategies are frequently either unavailable or inadequate for termination of these arrhythmias.

Initial experience with an electrically active needle electrode have demonstrated that radiofrequency ablative energy can effectively create lesions of homogeneous necrosis. Needle electrodes have been used experimentally from the epicardial surface, from the endocardium ex vivo and in vivo in an internally irrigated form. It has been shown that the use of a narrow-gauge non-irrigated endocardial needle ablation catheter creates very narrow but deep lesions due to the small electrode size. Catheters featuring a retractable needle tipped electrode with intramyocardial saline infusion have also shown promise as a means of accessing deep myocardial circuits in ventricular tachycardia ablation.18

The proposed study will further examine the role of INA in patients with ventricular arrhythmias resistant to standard ablation techniques.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
52

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • New York
      • New York, New York, United States, 10029
        • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

11 years and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • The study will include patients with any of the following criteria: a) monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT); b) frequent ventricular arrhythmia (defined as unifocal PVCs, couplets, non-sustained VT) with a PVC burden ≥13%, or is causing a decline in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction to <40%; or c) previous failed ablation for one or more of the criteria above.
  • ≥ 15 years of age.
  • Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction > 10% as estimated by echocardiography, contrast ventriculography or radionuclide imaging within the past 90 days.
  • Clinical indication for catheter ablation of VT
  • Intramural ventricular arrhythmias not terminable with standard ablation once enrolled in the Intramural Needle Ablation study or previous failed ablation within 6 months prior to enrollment.
  • Ability to understand the requirements of the study and sign the informed consent form.
  • Able and willing to comply with all pre-, post-, and follow-up testing and requirements.
  • Projected lifespan greater than 1 year.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of MI or CABG within 6 weeks.
  • NYHA Class IV CHF.
  • Patients with idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias defined as VT or PVCs that occur without evidence of structural heart disease and that are not causing significant depression of LV function.
  • Women known to be pregnant or to have positive beta-HCG.
  • Definite protruding left ventricular thrombus on pre-ablation echocardiography or other imaging modalities.
  • Contraindication to heparin
  • Allergy to radiographic contrast dye.
  • Unstable angina that is not due to frequent or incessant VT.
  • Acute non-cardiovascular illness or systemic infection.
  • Thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 50,000 mm3) or coagulopathy.
  • Cardiogenic shock unless it is due to incessant VT.
  • Unable to sign consent.
  • Projected lifespan of < 1 year.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Intramural Needle Ablation
Device: Intramural Needle Ablation
The needle-tipped ablation catheter that will be used for the IN ablation uses radiofrequency like a standard RF ablation catheter, but delivers energy through an extendable/retractable needle.
Procedure: Ablation
standard ablation

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Number of Participants Who Had Freedom From Ventricular Arrhythmia at 6 Months
Time Frame: 6 months

Number of participants with VT and number of participants with PVCs who had freedom from ventricular arrhythmia at 6 months for participants who had ablation performed using the experimental Needle ablation catheter versus standard ablation catheter.

Needle - patient had ablation performed using the experimental Needle ablation catheter.

Registry - patient had ablation using a standard ablation catheter and did not need additional ablation using the Needle catheter.
6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Number of Events of Procedural Complications
Time Frame: at 6 months
Number of events of procedural complications
at 6 months
Number of Participants With Post-ablation Inducibility
Time Frame: Day 1
Day 1
Time to Termination
Time Frame: Day 1
Day 1
Total Duration of Intramural Needle Ablation
Time Frame: Day 1
Total duration of intramural needle ablation for patient who had ablation performed using the experimental Needle ablation catheter.
Day 1
Total Number of Intramural Needle Ablations
Time Frame: Day 1
Total Number of Intramural Needle Ablations for patient had ablation performed using the experimental Needle ablation catheter.
Day 1
All-cause Mortality
Time Frame: at 6 months
at 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Vivek Reddy

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Biosense Webster, Inc.

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 17, 2017

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 20, 2021

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
April 20, 2021

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 28, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 28, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 2, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
October 12, 2021

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 14, 2021

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • GCO 17-1899

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

No

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

Yes

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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