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Atrial FibrillationNCT02409654

Hong Kong Outpatient AF Screening Using Single-lead ECG Device

A study testing Patient education and Routine care in people with Atrial Fibrillation, run by Chinese University of Hong Kong at 1 site in Hong Kong.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity and rising healthcare cost worldwide. In 'real-world' practice, AF is often diagnosed too late at time of stroke and detection can be difficult because AF may be present without symptoms and intermittent in nature. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 65 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Atrial Fibrillation
What is being tested?
Patient education and Routine care
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
500 participants
Where
1 siteHong Kong
Study dates
1 Jan 2015to 30 Sep 2019
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 65 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Aged 65 years or over

Who cannot join

  • Severe coexisting medical condition that would prevent participation (eg, dementia, terminal illness)
  • Inability to read/understand the consent form and participation information statement

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Hong Kong1 site
  • Prince of Wales Hospital

    Shatin, New Territories

Other trials in Hong Kong

About this study

Official title: Randomized Controlled Trial of Tailored Stroke Prevention Strategy for Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation From a Targeted Screening Program Using Handheld Single-lead ECG Device

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity and rising healthcare cost worldwide. In 'real-world' practice, AF is often diagnosed too late at time of stroke and detection can be difficult because AF may be present without symptoms and intermittent in nature. Furthermore, utilization of adequate oral anticoagulation therapy (OAC) for stroke prevention is suboptimal in Hong Kong. The challenge is to identify AF prior to occurrence of stroke. The latest European guidelines recommend opportunistic screening for people >=65 years by pulse palpation followed by 12-lead ECG. However, 12-lead ECG requires a trained technician, time consuming, requires the patient to lie on an examination couch and is not readily available in most outpatient clinics in Hong Kong. A practical screening test is needed. Our study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and incremental cost of an outpatient based AFscreening program using the AliveCor device. Newly diagnosed AF patients will be randomized to routine care versus individualized stroke prevention strategy which consists of patient education, stroke and bleeding risk assessment, evidence-based OAC recommendation, patient audit and follow-up to improve OAC utilization for stroke prevention. We envisage this study will provide timely evidence to inform policy decisions concerning population-based AF-screening for AF for stroke prevention.

Read the detailed description

Study Design

The study consists of 2 stages. The screening study examines the feasibility of screening to identify undiagnosed AF in the elderly (>=65 years) using a validated hand-held ECG device and the impact of screening on clinical and economic outcomes at the population level. Subsequent intervention study is a randomized-controlled study comparing an individualized stroke prevention strategy with routine care to prevent stroke in screen-detected AF patients.

Stage 1: AF Screening Study

Screening will be performed in 2 Cardiology and 4 Family Medicine Specialty Out-Patient Clinics (SOPC) at a tertiary referral hospital in Hong Kong. Subjects who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria will sign informed consent for Stage 1 and 2 studies separately, prior to conducting ECG screening.

Stage 2: Randomized Study of Individualized Stroke Prevention vs. Routine Care

Intervention

Screen detected AF patients (new or known AF) from Stage 1 who are not already receiving appropriate OAC for stroke prevention who signed informed consent are randomized 1:1 to routine care or an individualized stroke prevention strategy. Participants will be randomized using block randomization method to assure both groups have the same number of subjects.

Individualized Stroke Prevention Strategy

(i) Patient education on AF and stroke risk. (ii) Assess individual risk of stroke using the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc score and risk of major bleeding using the HAS-BLED score (iii) Recommendation of evidence-based stroke prevention therapy (iv) Patient audit and follow-up: Patients not on appropriate OAC without adequate explanation will be referred to Cardiology SOPC for second opinion.

Routine Care

The iECG tracing and report is provided to the attending doctor. Prescription of OAC is left to the discretion of the attending doctor.

Follow-up

Participants will be followed prospectively every 12 months up to 3 years for clinical events including death, ischemic stroke, any thromboembolic events, intracranial and other major bleeding and stroke prevention therapy. Screen-detected AF patients from Stage 1 who declined to participate in the intervention study will be followed up in a registry.

Being tested
Patient education, Routine care
Medical subject headings
Atrial Fibrillation

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Patient educationOther

    (i) Patient education (ii) Assess individual risk of stroke using the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc score and risk of major bleeding using the HAS-BLED score (iii) Recommendation of evidence-based stroke prevention therapy based on international guidelines (iv) Patient audit and follow-up (v) Patients not on appropriate OAC without adequate explanation will be referred to Cardiology Outpatient Clinic for second opinion

  • Routine careOther

    The iECG tracing and report is provided to the attending doctor. Prescription of OAC is left to the discretion of the attending doctor.

Study groups in NCT02409654
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Individualized stroke preventionActive comparator(i) Patient education (ii) Assess individual risk of stroke using the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc score and risk of major bleeding using the HAS-BLED score (iii) Recommendation of evidence-based stroke prevention therapy based on international guidelines (iv) Patient audit and follow-up (v) Patients not on appropriate OAC without adequate explanation will be referred to Cardiology Outpatient Clinic for second opinion
Receives: Other: Patient education; Other: Routine care
Routine CarePlacebo comparatorThe iECG tracing and report is provided to the attending doctor. Prescription of OAC is left to the discretion of the attending doctor.
Receives: Other: Routine care

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Utilization rates of evidence-based stroke prevention therapy

    Measured: 3 years

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Rates of newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in elderly >65 years of age

    Measured: 3 years

  2. Clinical outcomes including death, stroke and bleeding

    Measured: 12 months

  3. Patient awareness questionnaire

    Measured: 12 months

  4. Incremental cost per new AF case detected

    Measured: 3 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted7 Apr 2015 (estimated)
  2. Study start1 Jan 2015
  3. Primary completion31 Dec 2017
  4. Study completion30 Sep 2019

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Screening
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
500 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02409654
Sponsor's protocol ID
HK-OPD-AF
Status last verified
Oct 2021
First submitted
30 Mar 2015
Last updated
19 Oct 2021
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Camm AJ, Lip GY, De Caterina R, Savelieva I, Atar D, Hohnloser SH, Hindricks G, Kirchhof P; ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines (CPG). 2012 focused update of the ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation: an update of the 2010 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation. Developed with the special contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association. Eur Heart J. 2012 Nov;33(21):2719-47. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehs253. Epub 2012 Aug 24. No abstract available.

    PubMed 22922413
  • Mant J, Fitzmaurice DA, Hobbs FD, Jowett S, Murray ET, Holder R, Davies M, Lip GY. Accuracy of diagnosing atrial fibrillation on electrocardiogram by primary care practitioners and interpretative diagnostic software: analysis of data from screening for atrial fibrillation in the elderly (SAFE) trial. BMJ. 2007 Aug 25;335(7616):380. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39227.551713.AE. Epub 2007 Jun 29.

    PubMed 17604299
  • Hobbs FD, Fitzmaurice DA, Mant J, Murray E, Jowett S, Bryan S, Raftery J, Davies M, Lip G. A randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness study of systematic screening (targeted and total population screening) versus routine practice for the detection of atrial fibrillation in people aged 65 and over. The SAFE study. Health Technol Assess. 2005 Oct;9(40):iii-iv, ix-x, 1-74. doi: 10.3310/hta9400.

    PubMed 16202350
  • Sudlow M, Rodgers H, Kenny RA, Thomson R. Identification of patients with atrial fibrillation in general practice. BMJ. 1999 Jan 23;318(7178):264. doi: 10.1136/bmj.318.7178.264. No abstract available.

    PubMed 9915750
  • Bjorck S, Palaszewski B, Friberg L, Bergfeldt L. Atrial fibrillation, stroke risk, and warfarin therapy revisited: a population-based study. Stroke. 2013 Nov;44(11):3103-8. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.002329. Epub 2013 Aug 27.

    PubMed 23982711
  • Lee VW, Tam CS, Yan BP, Man Yu C, Yin Lam Y. Barriers to warfarin use for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation in Hong Kong. Clin Cardiol. 2013 Mar;36(3):166-71. doi: 10.1002/clc.22077. Epub 2012 Nov 14.

    PubMed 23151816
  • Koponen L, Rekola L, Ruotsalainen T, Lehto M, Leino-Kilpi H, Voipio-Pulkki LM. Patient knowledge of atrial fibrillation: 3-month follow-up after an emergency room visit. J Adv Nurs. 2008 Jan;61(1):51-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04465.x.

    PubMed 18173735
  • Smith MB, Christensen N, Wang S, Strohecker J, Day JD, Weiss JP, Crandall BG, Osborn JS, Anderson JL, Horne BD, Muhlestein JB, Lappe DL, Moss H, Oliver J, Viau K, Bunch TJ. Warfarin knowledge in patients with atrial fibrillation: implications for safety, efficacy, and education strategies. Cardiology. 2010;116(1):61-9. doi: 10.1159/000314936. Epub 2010 May 26.

    PubMed 20502012
  • Court H, Greenland K, Margrain TH. Measuring patient anxiety in primary care: Rasch analysis of the 6-item Spielberger State Anxiety Scale. Value Health. 2010 Sep-Oct;13(6):813-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4733.2010.00758.x. Epub 2010 Jun 17.

    PubMed 20561315
  • Marjoram J, Strachan R, Allan A, Allan E. Screening for colorectal cancer: a general-practice-based study. Br J Gen Pract. 1996 May;46(406):283-86.

    PubMed 8762743

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Patient education and Routine care in people with Atrial Fibrillation, run by Chinese University of Hong Kong at 1 site in Hong Kong.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Oct 2021. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Hong Kong. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Utilization rates of evidence-based stroke prevention therapy (time frame: 3 years). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02409654, which also lists 10 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Oct 2021.

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Clinical Trial NCT02409654 | AzTrials