ClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT05803148CAMPAIGNUpdated Mar 21, 2024

Treatment Strategy of Vasovagal Syncope

An interventional study of Cardioneuroablation and Midodrine Oral Tablet in Syncope, Vasovagal, sponsored by China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases. Recruiting at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-03-21.

Sponsored by China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by Dec 2024, 1 year 10 months ago, but the record still lists the study as recruiting.
  • Started Apr 2023; still recruiting 3 years 7 months later.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
184
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This is a prospective, international multi-center, open-labeled, randomized trial.

The investigator speculated that CNA prevents more patients with moderate to severe VVS from syncope recurrence compared to midodrine.

Read the detailed description

Nearly 40% of people faint at least once in their life, and vasovagal syncope (VVS) is the most common cause. Study shows that VVS accounts for 66% of syncope in the Emergency Room. The early peak incidence is around 15 years for young women and a later significant rise in visits for both sexes over the age of 65 years. Patients with frequent syncope have a markedly reduced quality of life, similar to that of patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis or chronic low back pain.

Vasovagal syncope is characterized by paroxysmal hypotension and/or bradycardia. Multiple hypotheses have been suggested as the mechanism of VVS, hence the treatment was diverse. The current therapy suggested by guidelines includes diet, counter-pressure maneuvers, beta-blockers, fludrocortisone, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, midodrine, and permanent pacemakers.

Cardioneuroablation (CNA) which modified the cardiac autonomic nervous system through catheter ablation shows encouraging results in preventing syncope recurrence. Experience from our center also suggested that CNA was highly effective, with a syncope-free rate of nearly 80% for 4-year follow-up; however, the studies were non-randomized with no control group. A recent single-center randomized control study has reported that CNA was superior to non-pharmacology therapy for syncope prevention. The investigators are hereby willing to compare the effectiveness of CNA to drug therapy in a multi-center randomized control fashion.

The objective of this trial is to determine the role of CNA and midodrine therapy in the prevention of syncope recurrence in patients with vasovagal syncope and provide evidence for clinical treatment strategies. Participants will be randomized to either CNA plus patient education (diet, avoidance trigger, physical counter-pressure maneuvers) or midodrine therapy plus patient education. Randomization will be carried out with interactive web response system stratified by center.

The participants were followed up at 7 days, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months respectively after ablation procedure, to observe whether there were recurrent syncope and /or pre-syncope (including the time and frequency of recurrent syncope, inducing factors, and whether complicated with fall injury, etc.), and to reassessed tilt test, 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram and fill in Euroqol (EQ-5D) and ISQL quality of life score form. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cardiac nerve ablation in the prevention of refractory vasovagal syncope. The tilt test, the changes of vagus nerve function and the improvement of quality of life before and after were analyzed and compared.

02

Conditions studied

  • Syncope, Vasovagal

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Keywords

  • Vasovagal syncope
  • Cardioneuroablation
  • Midodrine
03

In context

Syncope, Vasovagal

88 studies on the registry are indexed under Syncope, Vasovagal; 28 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 184 is above the median of 59 across 58 interventional studies indexed under Syncope, Vasovagal.

Browse Syncope, Vasovagal studies →

Lead sponsor

China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases is the lead sponsor of 269 studies on the registry; 141 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  1. Age ≥ 18 years of age
  2. Calgary Syncope Symptom Score ≥ -2 points
  3. Positive response to head-up tilt test
  4. With syncope episodes more than 3 times in the preceding year
  5. A proven failure of non-pharmacologic treatment, including reassurance regarding the benign prognosis, education about the avoidance of situations and triggers initiating syncope, application of PCM during the occurrence of prodromal symptoms, and lifestyle modifications(adequate fluid intake and salt supplementation), according to the guideline
  6. Willingness to comply with follow-up requirements and to sign the

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Complied with other causes of syncope, including postural hypotension, aortic stenosis, sick sinus node syndrome, high-grade atrioventricular block, ventricular arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, , epilepsy, sequelae of cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage, subclavian vein steal syndrome and drug-induced syncope.
  2. Complied with congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and diabetes.
  3. History of cardiac catheter ablation, peacemaker implantation and cardiac surgery.
  4. History of midodrine usage, or compiled with contradiction of midodrine, including urine retention, hypertension (Bp≥140/90mmHg), glaucoma, renal dysfunction.
  5. \<1 year for any medical condition
  6. Pregnancy or breast-feeding
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(3)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

TIA (transient ischaemic attack)

A “mini-stroke”: temporary stroke-like symptoms caused by reduced blood flow to part of the brain, spinal cord or eye, without signs of a new stroke on a scan.

Stroke symptoms need emergency care at once, even if they go away.

Life expectancy

The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
184 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Experimental group: Cardioneuroablation

    In this arm, the catheter ablation of the GPs will be performed in the order of LSGP, LIGP, RIGP, left atrial RAGP and right atrial RAGP. Patient education includes fully informing patients of the benign prognosis of vasovagal syncope, and educating patients to avoid triggering factors as much as possible. At the same time, the patient should be taught how to cope with the impending syncope with physical counter-pressure maneuvers and dietary suggestions that emphasize fluid and sodium intake.

    Procedure: Cardioneuroablation

  • Active comparator
    Control group: Midodrine

    In this arm, Midodrine will be applied without the following contraindications: hypertension, chromaffin cell carcinoma, acute nephritis, severe renal dysfunction, glaucoma, prostatic hyperplasia with urinary retention, mechanical urinary obstruction, hyperthyroidism. Patient education includes fully informing patients of the benign prognosis of vasovagal syncope, and educating patients to avoid triggering factors as much as possible. At the same time, the patient should be taught how to cope with the impending syncope with physical counter-pressure maneuvers and dietary suggestions that emphasize fluid and sodium intake.

    Drug: Midodrine Oral Tablet

Interventions

  • ProcedureCardioneuroablation

    The left atrium model was established under the guidance of three-dimensional mapping. Atrial septum puncture、left atrium mapping and right atrium mapping will be performed according to standard EP lab protocol. The location of GPs will be detected with HAFE potential (duration ≥ 50ms, deflections ≥ 4 times, amplitude ≥ 0.7mV) and high frequency stimulation (HFS; 30 Hz, 20 mV, pulse width 2ms) through positive vasovagal response (transient ventricular asystole, atrioventricular block, or R-R interval increased by 30%) . Saline Irrigated-tip catheter with pressure monitoring will be applied for the procedure, and radiofrequency energy is limited to 40W and 43℃ for at least 30s at each site. The ablation endpoint for each GP is defined as the complete elimination of all targeted HAFE potential and elimination of positive vasovagal response. The endpoint of the procedure was that the heart rate reach 75% of the maximum heart rate in atropine test.

    Also known as: Cardiac ganglion plexus ablation

  • Midodrine will start dosing with 5 mg of the study drug 3 times daily, 4 hours apart, during daylight hours.Dose with be adjusted within a range of 2.5 mg twice daily, 4 hours apart, up to 10 mg, 3 times daily, every 4 hours. The optimal dose ranging be completed within the first 2 weeks. If intolerable symptoms persisted despite dose reductions, the drug will be withdrawn, and the patient was released from the study.

    Also known as: Midodrine pill

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants with syncope recurrence during follow-up

    Syncope was defined as a transient loss of consciousness and complete recovery in a very short time.

    Time frame: 12 month after randomization

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants with pre-syncope during follow-up

    Pre-syncope was defined as the prodrome before syncope, such as dizziness, sweating,dyspnea, and paleness, and patients did not actually fall down. We documented each time that syncope occurred. The severeity of the prodrome will be assessed with a standardized questionnaire CPF.

    Time frame: 12 month after randomization

  2. Quality of life measure by Impact of Syncope on Quality of Life(ISQL)questionnaire

    The difference in quality of life between the two groups as compared to baseline by using the standardized ISQL (Impact of Syncope on Quality of Life) questionnaire. The ISQL score was ranged from 0 to 57 points, and higher points represented more severe impaired quality of life.

    Time frame: 6 month after randomization

  3. Quality of life measure by Impact of Syncope on Quality of Life(ISQL)questionnaire

    The difference in quality of life between the two groups as compared to baseline by using the standardized ISQL (Impact of Syncope on Quality of Life) questionnaire. The ISQL score was ranged from 0 to 57 points, and higher points represented more severe impaired quality of life.

    Time frame: 12 month after randomization

  4. Results of Head-up tilt test

    The difference in the rate of head-up tilt test induced syncope between the two groups. The positive results of head-upright tilt test were defined by VASIS standard. The examination will be performed at each investigative center.

    Time frame: 12 month after randomization

  5. Blood pressure measured with 24 hours monitoring

    The difference in blood pressure between the two groups as compared to baseline. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were assessed. The device provided to patients prior to discharge or at outpatient visits will be used for this assessment.

    Time frame: 6 month after randomization

  6. Blood pressure measured with 24 hours monitoring

    The difference in blood pressure between the two groups as compared to baseline. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were assessed. The device provided to patients prior to discharge or at outpatient visits will be used for this assessment.

    Time frame: 12 months after ablation procedure

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
    Beijing, China
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Tu B, Wu L, Hu F, Fan S, Liu S, Liu L, Ding L, Zheng L, Yao Y. Cardiac deceleration capacity as an indicator for cardioneuroablation in patients with refractory vasovagal syncope. Heart Rhythm. 2022 Apr;19(4):562-569. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2021.12.007. Epub 2021 Dec 9. PubMed 34896621 ↗
  • Sheldon R, Faris P, Tang A, Ayala-Paredes F, Guzman J, Marquez M, Morillo CA, Krahn AD, Kus T, Ritchie D, Safdar S, Maxey C, Raj SR; POST 4 investigators. Midodrine for the Prevention of Vasovagal Syncope : A Randomized Clinical Trial. Ann Intern Med. 2021 Oct;174(10):1349-1356. doi: 10.7326/M20-5415. Epub 2021 Aug 3. PubMed 34339231 ↗
  • Hu F, Zheng L, Liang E, Ding L, Wu L, Chen G, Fan X, Yao Y. Right anterior ganglionated plexus: The primary target of cardioneuroablation? Heart Rhythm. 2019 Oct;16(10):1545-1551. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2019.07.018. Epub 2019 Jul 19. PubMed 31330187 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Started Apr 2023 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2024, 20 months after the start.

Of 29 interventional studies with no phase under Syncope, Vasovagal, half reached primary completion within 39 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 15. This study's planned 20 months is below that.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Mar 9, 2023
First posted
Apr 7, 2023
StartActual
Apr 5, 2023
Primary completionEst.
Dec 30, 2024
CompletionEst.
Dec 30, 2024
Last update
Mar 21, 2024
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 21, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05803148
Collaborators
Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, RenJi Hospital, Yeditepe University Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital Xi'an Jiaotong University, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Ningbo No. 1 Hospital, Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital
Responsible party
Yan Yao, MD,PhD (Chief of First Department of Arrythmia Center, China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases) — Principal investigator
First posted
Apr 7, 2023
Start date
Apr 5, 2023
Primary completion
Dec 30, 2024 (estimated)
Completion
Dec 30, 2024 (estimated)
Last update
Mar 21, 2024

Study contacts

yan Yao, PhD
Contact
ianyao@263.net.cn
13901121319
lihui Zheng, PhD
Contact
zhenglihui@263.net
13910617612
yan Yao, PhD
study chair · Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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