Suspended

CATCH-AFComparison of Catheter Ablation and Medication Therapy in Recently Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation with Heart Failure

Study Aim

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of catheter ablation and medication therapy in recently diagnosed atrial fibrillation patients with heart failure, by measuring the time to first hospitalization for heart failure, recurrence of atrial fibrillation, or need for direct current cardioversion.

What is being tested

Catheter Ablation

+ FDA approved anti arrhythmic drug

DeviceDrug

Who is being recruted

Arrhythmias, Cardiac+4

+ Atrial Fibrillation

+ Cardiovascular Diseases

Over 18 Years

+27 Eligibility Criteria

See all eligibility criteria

How is the trial designed

Treatment Study

Phase 4

Interventional

Study Start: June 2016

See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorThe Cleveland Clinic

Last updated: January 28, 2026

Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Study start date: June 1, 2016

Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

This study focuses on comparing two approved treatments for Atrial Fibrillation (AF), a type of irregular heartbeat, in patients who also have heart failure. The two treatments are anti-arrhythmic medications, which help regulate heart rhythm, and AF ablation, a procedure that aims to correct the irregular heartbeat. The study involves around 220 individuals newly diagnosed with AF from various hospitals across the United States. The goal is to determine which treatment works better for this specific group of patients, potentially improving their care and addressing the challenges posed by coexisting AF and heart failure. Participants in this study are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receives AF catheter ablation, while the other is given anti-arrhythmic medication. The study measures the time it takes for certain events to occur after the treatment period, which lasts for the first 3 months post-enrollment or post-procedure. These events include the first hospitalization due to heart failure, recurrence of AF, or the need for a procedure called Direct Current cardioversion, which helps restore a normal heart rhythm.

Official TitleCatheter Ablation vs. Medical Therapy in Congested Hearts With AF (CATCH-AF in Patients With Impaired LV Function): An Early Ablation Strategy Study Impact on Health Care Utilization

NCT02686749

Principal SponsorThe Cleveland Clinic

Last updated: January 28, 2026

Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Protocol

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

Design Details

4 patients to be enrolled

Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.

Treatment Study

These studies test new ways to treat a disease, condition, or health issue. The goal is to see if a new drug, therapy, or approach works better or has fewer side effects than existing options.

Eligibility

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Conditions

Criteria

Any sex

Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.

Over 18 Years

Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.

Healthy volunteers not allowed

If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.

Conditions

Pathology

Arrhythmias, CardiacAtrial FibrillationCardiovascular DiseasesHeart DiseasesHeart FailurePathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Criteria

8 inclusion criteria required to participate

must be 18 years of age or older

Provide signed written Informed Consent

symptomatic AF documented by EKG or heart rhythm monitoring within 12 months

patients should be on optimal medical therapy for heart failure for 3 months prior to randomization. Adjustments to medications within this 3 month period are permitted.

Show More Criteria

19 exclusion criteria prevent from participating

women of childbearing potential unless post- menopausal or surgically sterile

patients hospitalized for heart failure within the 3 months prior to randomization

reversible causes of AF such as pericarditis, thyroid disorders, acute alcohol intoxication, recent major surgical procedures or trauma

recent reversible LV impairment that may be attributed to AF with rapid ventricular response and may improve with introduction of rate control

Show More Criteria

Study Plan

Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.

Treatment Groups

Study Objectives

2 intervention groups are designated in this study

This study does not include a placebo group

Treatment Groups

Group I

Active Comparator

Pulmonary Vein Isolation catheter ablation for treatment of AF. AF catheter ablation is an FDA approved treatment for AF

Group II

Active Comparator

FDA approved anti arrhythmic drug for the treatment of AF will be based on treating physicians' preference in accordance to guidelines.

Study Objectives

Primary Objectives

Secondary Objectives

Study Centers

These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.

This study has 6 locations

Suspended

Hartford Hospital

Hartford, United StatesOpen Hartford Hospital in Google Maps

Suspended

Cleveland Clinic Akron General

Akron, United States

Suspended

Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland, United States

Suspended

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Columbus, United States

Suspended6 Study Centers