Arrhythmias & electrophysiology

Pulmonary Vein Isolation vs Sham Intervention in Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation: The SHAM-PVI Randomized Clinical Trial

JAMAPublished Randomised controlled trial

Primary result · Absolute mean AF burden change from baselineResult — go to the resultGeometric mean difference 0.25 95% CI 0.15–0.42

Authors' conclusion

Pulmonary vein isolation resulted in a statistically significant and clinically important decrease in atrial fibrillation burden at 6 months, with substantial improvements in symptoms and quality of life, compared with a sham procedure.

Study context

Population
Patients with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent AF, UK, January 2020 to March 2024
Participants
126 patients
Comparison
PVI with cryoablation vs sham procedure
  • Ablationn = 64
  • Shamn = 62reference
Primary endpoint
AF burden (implantable loop recorder), excluding a 3-month blanking period
Follow-up
6 months
Methodological detailsdouble-blind, sham-controlled, 2 tertiary centres in the UK
  • Double-blind
  • Sham-controlled
  • 2 tertiary centres in the UK

Primary result

Absolute mean AF burden change from baseline

Geometric mean difference

0.25

95% CI 0.15–0.42

P < 0.001

Change by group

Ablation

60.31%

mean

Sham

35.0%

mean

Ablation vs Sham
geometric mean difference 0.25 (95% CI 0.15–0.42); P < 0.001

As reported in the abstract

Secondary outcomes

OutcomeEstimated difference (points) (95% CI)
Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life score · 6 monthsFavoring catheter ablation18.39 (11.48–25.30)
SF-36 general health score · 6 months9.27 (3.78–14.76)

Original publication

Pulmonary Vein Isolation vs Sham Intervention in Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation: The SHAM-PVI Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. Published 2 September 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.17921

Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it

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