Clinical Trend of the Week (September 9-15): CASTLE AF
Results from a key heart disease study were the catalyst for this week's top search term. Findings from the Catheter Ablation versus Conventional Treatment in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Atrial Fibrillation (CASTLE-AF) trial were presented at the European Society of Cardiology 2017 Congress. The randomized clinical trial found that catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with left ventricular dysfunction not only provides symptomatic relief but also reduces mortality and hospitalization for worsening heart failure. The mortality benefit was evident at about 3 years, whereas the reduction in hospitalizations for heart failure started happening at 6 months. Questions surrounding the study include the relatively young population (patients in their 60s) and their New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification (class 2 with long-standing atrial fibrillation). Although caution is suggested in interpreting the results, the findings do suggest that ablation is a potentially advantageous treatment for certain patients. As the study is more thoroughly reviewed and incorporated into recommendations and clinical practice, searches for the trial will continue to be popular.
For more information on atrial fibrillation, read here.
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Cite this: Ryan Syrek. Clinical Trends for September 2017 - Medscape - Sep 29, 2017.
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