The objective of this study is to examine the efficacy and safety of IV calcium pretreatment at varying doses prior to weight-adjusted IV Diltiazem on the incidence of Diltiazem-related hypotension in adult patients presenting to the Emergency Department due to Atrial Fibrillation with Rapid Ventricular Response. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that patients with Atrial Fibrillation who receive IV calcium pretreatment prior to IV Diltiazem suffer less hypotension than those receiving Diltiazem monotherapy.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patients aged ≥ 18 years
* Patients with documented AFib/AFL (confirmed by ECG)
* Patients with a Heart Rate of ≥ 120 bpm, and a Systolic Blood Pressure of ≥ 90 mmHg
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients under 18 years of age
* pregnant individuals
* Patients with hemodynamic instability requiring electrocardioversion
* Patients with a documented history of sick sinus syndrome, third-degree AV block, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
* Patients with hypotension (SBP \<90 mmHg)
* Patients with known or suspected hypercalcemia
* Patients with a confirmed allergy to diltiazem
* Patients with concurrent use of another Heart Rate control agent (such as beta-blockers, amiodarone, or digoxin) on the same admission
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Systolic blood pressure before and after treatment
Timeframe: 5, 10, and 15 minutes following the initial administration.