Oral Bisoprolol Vs IV Diltiazem in Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter with Rapid Ventricular Rate. (BisoAF)

March 11, 2025 updated by: Fatin Khalfan Alomairi, Oman Medical Speciality Board

Oral Bisoprolol Versus Intravenous Diltiazem in the Management of Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter with Rapid Ventricular Rate in the Emergency Department: a Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION: The study focuses on comparing the effectiveness of oral Bisoprolol, a beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocker, against intravenous Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, in treating rapid atrial fibrillation or flutter with rapid ventricular response in an emergency setting. This research aims to fill the gap in empirical evidence regarding the use of oral Bisoprolol for these conditions, potentially offering a convenient, evidence-based alternative for patient management in emergency departments where established protocols are lacking.

METHOD: This study is a randomized controlled trial targeting patients who present to the emergency room with symptomatic atrial fibrillation or flutter and rapid ventricular response requiring intervention. Participants will be split into two groups and undergo continuous monitoring of vital signs and regular electrocardiograms to ensure safety and document any adverse effects. The primary focus is on patient safety while evaluating the efficacy of the treatments.

AIM: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral bisoprolol in treating atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter with rapid ventricular response in an emergency department setting.

PRIMARY OJECTIVES: The primary efficacy outcome will be evaluated by achieving a HR<110 beats per minute or a decrease ≥20% of baseline HR at 60 minutes. The primary safety outcome measures are HR < 60 bpm and SBP < 95 mm Hg.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: The use of Rescue medication, proportion of patients who required hospitalization, worsening of heart failure or pulmonary oedema, side effect of medication ( dizziness, headaches, gastrointestinal symptoms)

PATEINT POPULATION: Adults (18 and older) presenting to the emergency department at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital with symptomatic atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter with rapid ventricular response requiring treatment.

INTERVENTION: A single oral dose of 5 mg Bisoprolol (maximum dose of 5 mg) or a single intravenous dose of Diltiazem at 0.25 mg/kg (to a maximum dose of 30 mg).

CLINICAL MEASURMENT: Heart rate recorded every 15 minutes up to the 90-minute mark, with a 12-lead ECG performed every 30 minutes.

OUTCOME: For therapy to be considered effective, patients must achieve a ventricular rate ≤110/min or experience a drop-in ventricular rate of at least 20% at 60 minutes.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

= Aim of the Study: This open-label randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of oral bisoprolol in treating atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular response (RVR) and atrial flutter within an acute ED setting. We aim to determine the viability of utilizing oral bisoprolol as a primary treatment option for atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (RVR) and atrial flutter by evaluating its clinical outcomes, focusing on rate control and potential adverse effects, and comparing them with those of intravenous diltiazem. The findings from this research will enhance our understanding and guide clinicians towards evidence-based therapeutic decisions, ensuring optimal patient care and improved outcomes.

= Research Objectives and Hypothesis: The research aims to test the null hypothesis, which posits that there is no significant difference in achieving a heart rate (HR) below 110 beats/min or a reduction in ventricular rate by at least 20% between the oral bisoprolol (PO) and intravenous diltiazem (IV) groups after 60 minutes.

= Study Design: This is a prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial that will be conducted as a single-center investigation within the Emergency Department of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH). This study will involve adult patients aged 18 and older, and all eligible participants will be given written informed consent to join the research.

= Control Group: Participants in this group will be administered a single intravenous dose of diltiazem at a dosage of 0.25 mg/kg, with a maximum dose capped at 30 mg.

= Intervention Group: Participants in this group will receive a single oral dose of bisoprolol, set at a dosage of 5 mg, with a maximum dose limit of 5 mg.

  • Primary Endpoints:

    • The primary efficacy outcome evaluated by achieving a HR < 110 beats per minute or a decrease ≥20% of baseline HR at 60 minutes.
    • The primary safety outcome measures were HR < 60 bpm and SBP < 95 mm Hg.

  • Secondary Endpoints:

    • The use of rescue medication (Rescue rate control defined as the administration of a supplementary rate control medication after 60 minutes of the initial dose of the interventional drug).
    • Proportion of patients who required hospitalization (hospital admission/ICU admission).
    • ED revisit.
    • Treatment-related adverse events.
    • Dizziness, headaches, gastrointestinal symptoms.
    • Worsening of heart failure or pulmonary edema.
  • Sample Size:

In addressing the novel concept of comparing the effectiveness of oral bisoprolol versus IV diltiazem in treating AF or atrial flutter with RVR in an acute setting, we aim to conduct a pilot study with 30 patients in each group to calculate the study sample size.

  • Study Procedures:

    1. Present to the Clinical Site:

      • An eligible adult patient aged 18 years or older, who presents with symptomatic rapid ventricular response atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter and requires treatment for rate control.

    2. Eligibility Assessments:

      • Inclusion and exclusion criteria will be checked.

    3. Informed Consent:

      • Potentially eligible participants will be identified by their treating clinicians. Written informed consent to participate in this study will follow a process of information exchange between clinicians and potential participants.

    4. Study the Effectiveness in Achieving Rate Control:

      • Data will be collected prospectively, including demographics, medical history, vital signs, and ECG results. Each patient will be promptly assessed, and continuous monitoring will be established for every patient to monitor cardiac rhythm, heart rate (HR), blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels.
      • Heart rate will be recorded every 15 mins till the 90-minute mark.
      • For the therapy to be considered effective, the patients had to achieve a ventricular rate ≤110/min or experience a drop in ventricular rate of at least 20% at 60 minutes.
      • 12-lead ECG will be done every 30 minutes at 0, 30, and 60 minutes.
      • Relevant secondary outcomes will be recorded.

    5. Standard-of-Care Procedures:

      • Patients may receive additional medications as part of their emergency department treatment after 60 minutes if they remain hemodynamically stable. Any additional medications administered will be recorded. The need for additional medications (including the drug administered, the dose, the time, and the route of administration) will be recorded.

    6. Safety Assessments:

      • All adverse events will be documented on the adverse event case log. Serious adverse events should be immediately reported to the primary investigator. Any serious adverse event will be reported immediately to the Institutional Review Board. An adverse event is considered serious if it causes a threat to the patient's life or functioning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines a serious adverse event (SAE) as any untoward medical occurrence that:
      • Results in death.
      • Is life-threatening (places the patient at risk of death).
      • Requires hospitalization or prolongs an existing hospitalization.
      • Causes persistent or significant disability or incapacity.
      • Requires medical intervention to prevent one of the above outcomes.

    7. Follow-Up:

      • All participants will be followed up after 24 hours and 48 hours.
  • Risks and Benefits:

Bisoprolol, a cardioselective beta-1 adrenergic agent, is recognized for its potency and the convenience of once-daily dosing. It is well-tolerated and deemed suitable for patients with chronic bronchoconstrictive disease, with safety established through clinical trials. On the other hand, diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, is commonly used for hypertension and short-term AF management due to its rapid onset and lower impact on blood pressure, making it suitable for emergencies.

In collaboration with cardiology experts, the designated 60-minute time frame has been established to balance clinical relevance with patient safety. The administration of oral bisoprolol is considered a reliable and convenient treatment modality, assumed to be fast, painless, and associated with a lower risk of complications. This approach aims to facilitate a smooth transition to oral maintenance and provide an alternative for AF management in a busy Emergency Department. Meanwhile, intravenous (IV) diltiazem is acknowledged for its rapid onset, rendering it effective for the treatment of symptomatic atrial fibrillation patients in the emergency department. Throughout the ED phase, each patient will undergo close monitoring to ensure their utmost safety.

It is crucial to carefully consider the balance between potential benefits and risks, particularly in cases involving heart failure patients. Detailed monitoring protocols are in place to swiftly detect and manage any adverse effects or complications that may arise. Our preemptive strategies include comprehensive and regular patient monitoring, the implementation of an emergency protocol to address unexpected issues, and a meticulous medication review prior to any treatment administration. We are committed to transparent and ongoing communication with all study participants, maintaining a continuous focus on safeguarding their health and ensuring that the potential advantages of participation outweigh the risks.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

60

Phase

  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Oman
    • Al-khod
      • Muscat, Al-khod, Oman, 38
        • Sultan Qaboos University Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
          • Awatif Al-Alalawi, MD
        • Contact:
          • Usama Alkhalasi, MD
        • Contact:
          • Mohamed Al Rawahi, MD
        • Contact:
          • Adil Al Riyami, MD
        • Contact:
          • Said Al Hadhrami, MD
        • Contact:
          • Hatim Al Lawati, MD

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • ≥ 18 years old.
  • Atrial fibrillation (RVR) or Atrial flutter on electrocardiogram.
  • Heart rate >120 beats/min
  • Stable patient with stable vital signs (Defined as having a SBP >110 mmHg, oxygen saturation > 94% on room air or with a simple face mask, a respiratory rate within normal limits, being conscious and oriented, and not having any concurrent life-threatening conditions such as myocardial infarction (MI) or Class IV heart failure).
  • Mentally competent patient who can understand and sign the consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Acute myocardial infarction.
  • Known congenital and acquired valvular defects.
  • Pre-excitation syndromes.
  • Ventricular rate > 220beats/min.
  • Administration of AV nodal blocking agents within the previous 24 h (beta blockers, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, digoxin and amiodarone or receiving regular maintains oral dose).
  • Allergy to either bisoprolol or diltiazem.
  • Severe hepatic and renal failure.
  • Pregnancy / breastfeeding.
  • A history of cocaine or methamphetamine use within 24 hours before arrival.
  • Known Asthmatic.

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: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Oral Bisoprolol
A single oral dose of 5 mg Bisoprolol (maximum dose of 5 mg)
Drug: Oral Bisoprolol
Participants in this group will receive a single oral dose of Bisoprolol, set at a dosage of 5 mg, with a maximum dose limit of 5 mg.
Other Names:
  • Bisoprolol hemifumarate
Other: Intravenous Diltiazem
single intravenous dose of Diltiazem at 0.25 mg/kg (to a maximum dose of 30 mg)
Drug: Intravenous Diltiazem
Participants in this group will be administered a single intravenous dose of diltiazem at a dosage of 0.25 mg/kg, with a maximum dose capped at 30 mg.
Other Names:
  • Diltiazem nondihydropyridine calcium channel blocker

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Efficacy Outcome Evaluated by Achieving the Target Heart Rate Reduction
Time Frame: at 60 minutes
The primary efficacy outcome evaluated by achieving a HR<110 beats per minute or a decrease ≥20% of baseline HR at 60 minutes
at 60 minutes
Safety Outcome Evaluated by the Presence of serious adverse event
Time Frame: at 60 minutes
The primary safety outcome measures were HR < 60 bpm and SBP < 95 mm Hg
at 60 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
The use of Rescue medication
Time Frame: 60 minutes
Rescue rate control defined as the administration of a supplementary rate control medication after 60 minutes of the initial dose of the interventional drug
60 minutes
Proportion of patients who required hospitalization
Time Frame: 90 minutes
percentage of individuals within a study who need to be admitted to a hospital for treatment, observation, or further medical care
90 minutes
ED revisit
Time Frame: First 48 hour from discharge
Number of patient who will revisit ED with symptomatic AF after stabilization and discharge
First 48 hour from discharge
Number of Participants Experiencing Treatment-Related Adverse Events
Time Frame: First 48 hour after receive intervention
Any patient experience ( Dizziness, headaches, gastrointestinal symptoms , Worsening of heart failure or pulmonary edema )
First 48 hour after receive intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Oman Medical Speciality Board

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Usama Al Khalasi, MD, The Medical City for Military & Security Services, Oman

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

Helpful Links

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 (Estimated)

April 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

April 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 18, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 18, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

February 23, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 11, 2025

Last Verified

March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • MERC301123

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

Will share the Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) to enhance transparency and provide detailed insights into our study's design, methodologies, statistical analyses, and inclusion criteria.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

Data from our study will be available soon after its completion and will remain accessible for a period of 3 years.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Open Access Policy: The document is accessible to anyone who requests it, promoting widespread dissemination.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

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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