Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Rationale and design of the VAST-AF trial: A randomized controlled, blinded, clinical trial to evaluate transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation for the prevention of persistent atrial fibrillation recurrence
Study context
- Population
- Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) in sinus rhythm after cardioversionplanned
- Participants
- 120 patients
- Planned comparison
- Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation vs sham
- Primary endpoint
- AF recurrence rate
Methodological detailsdesign and rationale, prospective, double-blinded, sham-controlled, 1:1 randomisation, Follow-up at 30 days, 3 and 6 months; stimulation withdrawn after 3 months to assess persisting effect, Secondary endpoints: quality of life, time to first AF recurrence, ECG parameters of the autonomous nervous system (ANS)
- Design and rationale
- Prospective
- Double-blinded
- Sham-controlled
- 1:1 randomisation
- Follow-up at 30 days, 3 and 6 months; stimulation withdrawn after 3 months to assess persisting effect
- Secondary endpoints: quality of life, time to first AF recurrence, ECG parameters of the ANS
No results yet. This paper sets out the design of a trial; its results are to come.
Original publication
Rationale and design of the VAST-AF trial: A randomized controlled, blinded, clinical trial to evaluate transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation for the prevention of persistent atrial fibrillation recurrence. Am Heart J. Published 30 November 2023. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it