CASTLE AF Study: Live Longer―Have a Catheter Ablation!

Catheter ablation actually reduces death rates and hospital admissions. That’s the finding in the CASTLE AF trial, a key heart disease study, by Dr. Nassir Marrouche and his colleagues.

In a presentation at the 2017 European Cardiology Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Dr. Marrouche described CASTLE-AF study participants as having A-Fib, advanced heart failure (i.e. low ejection fraction) and an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD).

The CASTLE-AF trial enrolled 398 patients in 33 sites across Europe, Australia and the US between 2008 and 2016. Patients were randomized to receive either radiofrequency catheter ablation or conventional drug treatment.

The study set out to definitively test the ability of A-Fib ablation to improve hard outcomes in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent A-Fib and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤35 percent (dangerously low percent). Median follow-up period was 37.8 months.

Results: Ablation Improves Quantity Not Just the Quality of Life

After catheter ablation, the death rate of trial patients was lowered by an amazing 47%! This is a lot better result than research studies using ICDs with drug therapy to lower the death rate in similar patients.

Before this study, catheter ablation was known to improve quality of life, but in this study it also improved life outcomes (the quantity of life, how long one lives).

In addition, there may be a “major impact” on reducing costs associated with hospitalizations.

Ablation Improves Ejection Fraction

Once we study the soon-to-be published CASTLE-AF results, we can document what we’ve often observed anecdotally, that catheter ablation improves lower-than-normal ejection fraction and consequently cures a major component of heart failure.

Dr. Marrouche recommends EPs treating heart failure patients with A-Fib to “ablate them early on, very soon in the disease stage.”

My Anecdotal Evidence: Just last month I advised a 73-year-old man in persistent A-Fib to have an ablation by Dr. Andrea Natale. After only one month in sinus, his ejection fraction improved from a low 35% to a normal 55% (normal range is 50 to 75 percent)!

Wider Adoption of Catheter Ablation?

The CASTLE-AF study results could be a game changer for Atrial Fibrillation patients! Results could pave the way for wider adoption of catheter ablation and may prompt changes in current guidelines for treatment.

CASTLE-AF stands for Catheter Ablation versus Standard conventional Treatment in patients with LEft ventricular dysfunction and Atrial Fibrillation

Related Posts