High frequency jet ventilation in AF ablation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised trial of high frequency jet ventilation versus conventional ventilation in left atrial catheter ablation
IRAS ID
182206
Contact name
Yaver Bashir
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
** TITLE: A research study comparing two methods of breathing during general anaesthesia to improve the creation of ablation lesions in the left atrium (High Frequency Jet Ventilation in Atrial Fibrillation ablation)\n\nAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart condition causing irregular and often rapid beating of the heart. Patients can experience palpitations and breathlessness. \n\nThe heart has two upper chambers (ATRIA). AF occurs when abnormal electrical signals occur in the top left side of the heart (THE LEFT ATRIUM). These signals override the heart’s natural pacemaker which is in the right side of the heart (the right atrium).\n\nIf patients do not respond to tablets, a treatment requiring a general anaesthetic (GA) is frequently undertaken in order to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.\nDuring the procedure, special wires (catheters) are placed inside the heart and used to disconnect/destroy (ABLATE) areas of abnormal electrical activity to prevent AF from occurring again. \n\nWhile under general anaesthetic, the patient is helped to breathe (VENTILATED).\nIn this study, we wish to compare the effectiveness of conventional ventilation (the most frequently used help with breathing) with an alternative method, High Frequency Jet Ventilation. (HFJV).\n\nBoth methods are well established, widely used and are safe and effective. But no direction comparison of the two has been made. \n\nThe reason for the comparison is that during the procedure, any movement of the heart is transmitted to the catheters and can make the ablation less effective in some areas, perhaps later playing a part in reducing the overall success of the procedure.\n\n\nDescription of the two methods of ventilation:\n\n1.\tConventional ventilation – the lungs are inflated and deflated as normal. Because the lungs and heart sit closely together in the chest, lung movement can cause movement of the heart. \n2.\tHigh Frequency Jet Ventilation (HFJV). Lungs are filled using fast and shallow breaths. Blood oxygen levels remain normal but there is little movement of the heart. \n\nMaking a direct comparison of the two methods would answer the question of whether HFJV improves ablation during surgery and if, in the long term it leads to better outcomes.\n\nPatients undergoing the procedure and entering the trial would not make the choice of ventilation method. They would be allocated randomly to one group or the other. \n
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0243
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion