ESC Congress 24 — SHAM-PVI study finds pulmonary vein isolation effective in reducing atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes, improving quality of life.

We are joined onsite by Dr Rick Veasey (Eastbourne District General Hospital, Eastbourne, UK) to discuss the findings from a SHAM-PVI, a randomized sham-controlled study of pulmonary vein isolation in symptomatic atrial fibrillation (NCT04272762; East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust).

SHAM-PVI aims to evaluate the effectiveness of cryoablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation as compared to placebo. 140 adults with symptomatic atrial fibrillation who had not responded to at least one antiarrhythmic drug (AAD Type I or III, β-blocker or AAD intolerance) were enrolled in the trial. These patients were randomized to receive either pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), or a sham procedure.

Primary outcomes include the burden of atrial fibrillation over a period of 6 months, and secondary outcomes comprise of the patient's quality of life, healthcare usage and complications.

Investigators find that PVI significantly reduced the occurrence of AF and improved symptoms and quality of life for patients. After six months, there was no significant placebo effect observed with PVI.

Interview Questions:

1. What is the current research landscape for PVI treatment for AF?
2. What was the study design and patient population for SHAM-PVI?
3. What are your key findings?
4. What are your take-home messages?
5. What further research is needed, and what are the next steps?

Recorded on-site at ESC Congress 2024, London.

Editors: Jordan Rance and Mirjam Boros.
Videographers: Mike Knight, Dan Brent, Oliver Miles, Tom Green, David-Ben-Harosh.

Support: This is an independent content produced by Radcliffe Cardiology.