Comparing Two Heart Medicines for Fast, Irregular Heartbeat (Atrial Fibrillation) (NCT07706075) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingPhase 4
Comparing Two Heart Medicines for Fast, Irregular Heartbeat (Atrial Fibrillation)
120 participantsStarted 2027-01-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether intravenous verapamil or intravenous metoprolol controls heart rate more effectively in adult patients who arrive at the emergency department with atrial fibrillation and a fast heart rate (rapid ventricular response), but who are otherwise medically stable. Atrial fibrillation with a rapid heart rate is a common emergency, and doctors currently choose between these two standard medicines based on personal preference rather than strong local evidence, since there is limited research on this comparison in Pakistani patients.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Does a higher proportion of patients reach a target heart rate of less than 110 beats per minute within 30 minutes with verapamil compared to metoprolol? Which medicine controls the heart rate faster, on average? Are there differences in side effects (such as low blood pressure, slow heart rate, or breathing problems) between the two medicines? Researchers will compare a group of patients receiving verapamil to a group receiving metoprolol to see if one medicine controls the heart rate faster and more safely than the other.
Participants will:
1. Receive either verapamil or metoprolol through an IV, with the dose given according to standard protocols
2. Have their heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels monitored continuously for 30 minutes after the medicine is given
3. Be observed for any side effects during this monitoring period Both medicines used in this study are already standard, guideline-recommended treatments for this condition, so participation will not change or delay the medical care patients would normally receive.
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:
* Adult patients aged 18 years and above presenting to the Emergency Department
* Confirmed diagnosis of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (heart rate ≥110 bpm) on 12-lead ECG
* Hemodynamically stable at the time of enrollment (systolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, no shock, no acute pulmonary edema)
* Willingness to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Hemodynamic instability, cardiogenic shock, or acute decompensated heart failure
* Known pre-excitation syndrome (e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) on baseline ECG
* Severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction less than 30%) as determined by echocardiography
* Known hypersensitivity or contraindication to verapamil or metoprolol
* Patients already taking rate control agents (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or digoxin) in the last 24 hours
* Major bradycardia (heart rate less than 50 bpm) or AV block (second or third degree) on baseline ECG
* Active bronchospasm or severe obstruction of pulmonary disease
* Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C) or acute renal failure (eGFR \<15 mL/min/1.73 m²)
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Inability to give informed consent
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
Proportion of Participants Achieving Target Heart Rate Control Within 30 Minutes
Timeframe: 30 minutes after study drug administration