Left Atrial Imaging Prior to Cardioversion: Leveraging Computed Tomography to Rule Out Thrombus in The Emergency Department (LA CLOTTED)

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Cardiac computed tomography angiography: Patients will undergo CCT according to the following protocol. A non-contrast enhanced prospective ECG-triggered image will be acquired followed by a contrast-enhanced prospective ECG-triggered image using a tri-phasic contrast protocol. Delayed CT images 60 seconds after the initial contrast-enhanced CT scan will be obtained. Cardiac CT image interpretation will be performed according to routine clinical practices in a pragmatic fashion. The LA will be assessed for filling defects and characterized based upon attenuation values. If LA thrombus cannot be excluded, filling defects will be assessed on the delay images. Increases in attenuation would be consistent with pseudo-thrombus from 'slow flow' and 'incomplete opacification'. Areas where attenuation does not change significantly (persistent filling defect) will be diagnosed as thrombus. If the CCT shows no LA thrombus then the ED physician will be able to perform electrical and/or chemical cardioversion at their discretion.

Standard of care management: Patients in the standard of care arm may undergo any combination of the following management strategies in the emergency department (ED) at the discretion of their treating physician: 1\. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) facilitated cardioversion; 2. Rate control; 3. Consultation with inpatient cardiac specialist for assessment/management and consideration of hospital admission; 4. cardioversion after 3 weeks of anticoagulation; and/or 5. Outpatient referral to cardiac specialist or general practitioner for further management.

Study summary

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to learn whether patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (AF) who require heart imaging to rule out a blood clot before cardioversion would benefit from cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCT) in the emergency department (ED) compared to current standard of care management.

This will be a multicenter trial evaluating whether CCT-facilitated cardioversion in the ED reduces hospital admission, reduces repeat presentations to hospital and improves patient quality of life compared to the current standard of care.

Participants will undergo CCT-facilitated cardioversion or be treated according to current standard of care while in the ED and complete quality of life questionnaires in the ED and follow-up at 30 days.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Primary composite outcome — Randomization to 30 days
  Using a hierarchical win ratio: 1. All-cause death 2. Stroke, transient ischemic attack, or systemic embolism 3. Admission to hospital for a cardiac or AF related reason 4. Repeat presentation to hospital for a cardiac or AF related reason 5. Improvement in AF Effect On Quality-Of-Life Questionnaire (AFEQT) quality of life greater than or equal to 5 points

Trial sites (3)

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