Can early rhythm control stop hidden heart rhythms from becoming dangerous?
NCT ID NCT07649109
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at people with heart devices that detect short bursts of irregular heartbeats (atrial high-rate episodes lasting 6 minutes to 24 hours) but no diagnosed atrial fibrillation. It tests whether starting rhythm-control drugs early, along with managing heart risk factors, can prevent these episodes from turning into sustained atrial fibrillation or clinical atrial fibrillation. Participants are randomly assigned to either early rhythm control or usual care, and researchers track progression, stroke, heart failure, and death over time.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Antiarrhythmic drugs and comprehensive cardiovascular risk factor management
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could reduce the risk of developing sustained atrial fibrillation and related complications like stroke or heart failure.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 4 study, but the optimal strategy for these short episodes is still uncertain. The intervention may not prevent progression and carries risks from antiarrhythmic drugs.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
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About 450 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2025
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria Age ≥18 years. Presence of a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED), including permanent pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device. Device-detected atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) lasting ≥6 minutes and \<24 hours. Ability to provide written informed consent. Willingness and ability to comply with study procedures and follow-up visits. Exclusion Criteria Prior diagnosis of clinical atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia requiring treatment. Device-detected AHRE ≥24 hours before enrollment. Current treatment with class I or class III antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial arrhythmias. Previous catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Planned catheter ablation within the next 3 months. Contraindication to rhythm-control therapy as determined by the treating physician. Life expectancy less than 1 year. Severe comorbid illness that may interfere with study participation or follow-up. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Participation in another interventional clinical trial that may affect study outcomes.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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National Taiwan University Hospital
RECRUITINGTaipei, Taiwan
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- New antibiotic pouch aims to stop infections in heart device patients
- Blood markers may reveal hidden stroke risk in heart patients