Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyRandomised controlled trial
Preventive or Deferred Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Implantable Defibrillator (BERLIN Ventricular Tachycardia (VT))
- Randomised controlled trial
- prospective
- open
- parallel
- 26 centres
- terminated early for futility
Authors' conclusion
Preventive VT ablation before ICD implantation did not reduce mortality or hospitalization for arrhythmia or worsening heart failure during 1 year of follow-up compared with the deferred ablation strategy.
Study context
- Population
- Stable ischaemic cardiomyopathy, LVEF 30%–50%, documented VT, needing ICD
- Participants
- 76 vs 83
- Comparison
- Preventive VT ablation vs deferred ablation
- Preventive ablationn = 76
- Deferred ablationn = 83reference
- Primary endpoint
- All-cause death and unplanned hospitalization for symptomatic ventricular arrhythmia or worsening HF
- Follow-up
- Mean 396±284 days
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Hazard ratio
1.09
95% CI 0.62–1.92
P = 0.77
Events by treatment group
Preventive ablation vs Deferred ablation
HR 1.09 (95% CI 0.62–1.92); P = 0.77
Secondary outcomes
All-cause death
P = 0.18
Admission for worsening HF
P = 0.062
Hospitalization for symptomatic ventricular arrhythmia
P = 0.27
Sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia
P = 0.050
Appropriate ICD therapy
P = 0.020
Original publication
Preventive or Deferred Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Implantable Defibrillator (BERLIN VT). Circulation. Published 31 January 2020. doi:10.1161/circulationaha.119.043400
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it