About this trial
This study will determine whether early, comprehensive, rhythm control therapy prevents adverse cardiovascular outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation compared to usual care.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Acute ischemic stroke in the previous four weeks, diagnosed by imaging (CT or MRI) or clinical diagnosis
Possibility to start the trial treatment within 4 weeks after stroke, and as soon as clinically justifiable
AF first detected ≤1 year prior to randomization
Informed consent
Disqualifiers
End-stage cancer or life-expectancy < 12 months due to other advanced co-morbid illness
Prior AF ablation or surgical therapy of AF
Patients not suitable for rhythm control of AF due to cardiac conditions
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Medical or interventional therapy for rhythm control in atrial fibrillation (antiarrhythmic drugs, ablation, electric cardio version)
- Usual care for atrial fibrillation
Treatment groups
Sponsors and collaborators
Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
Lead sponsor
University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, Department of Cardiology
Collaborator
Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital
Collaborator
Melbourne Heart Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital
Collaborator
Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary
Collaborator
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht
Collaborator
UMC Utrecht
Collaborator
Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Cerebrovascular Research Group, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh
Collaborator
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Research Centre
Collaborator
CTC-NORTH
Collaborator
Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE)
Collaborator
Kompetenznetz Vorhofflimmern e.V. (AFNET)
Collaborator