Partial Cardiac Denervation for Preventing Atrial Fibrillation After CABG

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Partial Cardiac Denervation: The intervention has been described in previous studies. Briefly, intraoperative partial cardiac denervation is achieved by transection of the left LOM and resection of the right Waterston fat pad using electrocautery. During the procedure, the pulmonary trunk is first gently retracted to the right to expose the LOM located between the left atrial appendage and the left pulmonary veins. The LOM is then transected using electrocautery. Subsequently, the right atrium is retracted to the left to expose the Waterston fat pad located in the interatrial groove. The Waterston fat pad is completely excised with electrocautery down to the epicardial surface.

Study summary

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common arrhythmia following cardiac surgery and is associated with increased risks of mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, and hospital readmission. The cardiac autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the development of POAF and may represent a potential target for preventive intervention.

The CALM trial is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of partial cardiac denervation for the prevention of POAF in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A total of approximately 1,470 participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to undergo CABG with partial cardiac denervation or CABG alone. Partial cardiac denervation consists of transection of the ligament of Marshall and resection of the Waterston fat pad.

The trial will evaluate the incidence of POAF within the first 6 postoperative days and the occurrence of long-term adverse clinical events. Participants will undergo scheduled rhythm monitoring and clinical follow-up, and all participants will be followed until the last enrolled participant completes 3 years of follow-up after surgery.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Incidence of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation Within 6 Postoperative Days — From admission to the intensive care unit after surgery until postoperative day 6.
  The proportion of participants with documented new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). POAF is defined as an episode of atrial fibrillation characterized by irregularly irregular RR intervals and the absence of discernible P waves, lasting more than 30 seconds. Continuous electrocardiographic recordings will be centrally reviewed by the blinded ECG Core Laboratory.
• Time to First Occurrence of the Composite Clinical Outcome — From surgery until 3 years after enrollment of the last participant, with a minimum follow-up of 3 years for each participant.
  Time from surgery to the first occurrence of any component of the composite outcome, including all-cause death, stroke, systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, readmission for cardiac reasons, or post-discharge atrial fibrillation. Suspected clinical events will be adjudicated by an independent Clinical Event Adjudication Committee blinded to treatment allocation. Post-discharge atrial fibrillation events will be reviewed by the blinded ECG Core Laboratory.

Trial sites (5)

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