Cardioinhibitory Reflex Syncope. Permanent Pacemaker Therapy or Cardioneuroablation?

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Cardioneuroablation: Ganglionated plexi will be localized using an empirical anatomical approach and/or a fractionated electrogram-based strategy. Point-by-point ablation will be performed using radiofrequency energy and an irrigated tip contact force sensing ablation catheter in a power control mode (35-50 W; AI, 350-500; LSI, 4.5-5.5). The right superior GP (RSGP), left superior GP (LSGP) and posterior left GP (PMLGP) will be targeted during CNA. Radiofrequency applications in other GPs will be left at the discretion of the operator. At the end of the procedure, another EP study and atropine test will be performed. Clinical endpoints for completion of the CNA will be: 1) a HR increase \>20% if the CNA was performed under general anesthesia/deep sedation; 2) improved electrophysiological parameters; 3) significant reduction in atropine response (HR increase \<10% after atropine); and 4) in case of using extracardiac vagal stimulation, lack of response.

Permanent pacemaker therapy: All patients in the pacemaker group will receive a dual-chamber pacemaker that has the ability to be programmed in the DDD-CLS algorithm mode (or failing this, a dual-chamber pacemaker with RDR algorithm).

Study summary

Reflex syncope is the most common form of syncope. It can lead to injuries and affect quality of life. Nonpharmacological and medical therapies have limited effectiveness. In certain patients, cardiac pacing seem to be beneficial. More recently cardioneuroablation (CNA) has emerged as a novel therapy for reflex syncope. The investigators aim to determine whether CNA is more effective than cardiac pacing at reducing the rate of cardioinhibitory-type reflex syncope.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• To determine the efficacy of CNA in the treatment of cardioinhibitory reflex syncope in comparison to pacemaker therapy. — 12 months
  Differences in 12-month syncope-free survival between the 2 groups

Trial sites (10)

More Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge trials in Spain