EAST clinical trial to assess early comprehensive rhythm control therapy for AF

The first patient has been enrolled, in Hamburg, Germany, for the largest pan-European study to determine whether an early comprehensive rhythm control strategy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) will benefit patients. The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology together with the German Competence Network on Atrial Fibrillation (AFNET) and industry partners1 have joined forces to conduct the EAST (Early comprehensive Atrial fibrillation Stroke prevention Trial) clinical trial.

This investigator-initiated study seeks to determine whether an early, comprehensive, standardized rhythm control therapy can help prevent adverse cardiovascular outcomes associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), including stroke and death. More specifically, EAST study will evaluate whether an early and comprehensive rhythm control treatment of patients, with early onset AF, leads to better patient outcomes than usual care alone.

The sponsor of EAST is AFNET (German Atrial Fibrillation Competence Network). EHRA (European Heart Rhythm Association) is an equal scientific partner in the trial. The investigators plan to enroll more than 3000 patients from 200 centres in 11 European countries.

Commenting on the need for the EAST study, Prof. Dr. Paulus Kirchhof, coordinating investigator of the trial said: "The trial is based on the observation that insufficient, non-structured and delayed therapy of the multiple factors that maintain AF and cause its complications has most likely contributed to the limited effectiveness of rhythm control interventions in past trials. This trial takes an important step forward to learn more about the value of rhythm control therapy to improve the lives of AF patients."