RACE 3 study: Intensive vs. usual rhythm control for AF, Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Routine versus Aggressive Upstream Rhythm Control for Prevention of Early Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure: RACE 3
IRAS ID
72198
Contact name
GYH Lip
Eudract number
2009-011291-29
ISRCTN Number
NA
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Research summary
RACE 3 study: Intensive vs. usual rhythm control for atrial fibrillationAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a common irregular heart rhythm which affects about 1 in every 100 patients in the United Kingdom. Some patients who have atrial fibrillation may experience symptoms caused by their irregular heartbeat, such as palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath, or dizziness. The main treatment for patients with these symptoms is to convert the rhythm of the heart from an irregular rhythm (atrial fibrillation) to a ??normal?? rhythm (sinus rhythm). This is usually attempted by using medication and/or a controlled 'electrical shock' to the heart, known as an electrical cardioversion. The chances of an immediate success with this treatment are high: in many cases the normal heart rhythm is restored. However, in many patients undergoing this treatment atrial fibrillation returns within a relatively short period of time, particularly in patients with reduced pumping ability of the heart (those with heart failure). The RACE 3 study is being conducted in hospitals in the UK and The Netherlands. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether ??intensive?? treatment can increase the chances of the heart rhythm remaining in a ??normal?? rhythm one year after electrical cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation and mild to moderate heart failure, compared to usual care. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either intensive therapy or usual care. Patients in the intensive treatment group will receive a combination of medications already widely used for the treatment of heart diseases, together with lifestyle advice (diet, smoking, exercise) and will also attend a cardiac rehabilitation programme. Patients randomised to usual care will receive some but not all of these medications and lifestyle advice but they will not attend cardiac rehabilitation. It is hoped that the intensive treatment will reduce the number of heart-related complications and death compared to usual care during one year of follow-up.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
11/WM/0095
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jun 2011
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion