The Australian Intervention Randomized Control of Rate in Atrial Fibrillation Trial (AIRCRAFT).
OBJECTIVE
The Australian Intervention Randomized Control of Rate in Atrial Fibrillation Trial was a multicenter trial of atrioventricular junction ablation and pacing (AVJAP) compared with pharmacologic ventricular rate control (medication [MED]) in patients with mild to moderately symptomatic permanent atrial fibrillation (AF).


BACKGROUND
There have been very few prospective randomized trials, undertaken in highly symptomatic patients, comparing AVJAP with pharmacologic methods of ventricular rate control for patients with permanent AF.


METHODS
There were 99 patients (70 men, mean age 68 +/- 8.6 years) at five centers. Forty-nine patients were randomized to AVJAP while 50 patients were randomized to pharmacologic control. The primary end point was cardiac function measured by echocardiography and exercise tolerance. The secondary end points were ventricular rate control, evaluated by 24-h ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring, and quality of life. Data were collected at randomization and then at one month, six months, and 12 months post-randomization.


RESULTS
At 12 months follow-up there was no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction (AVJAP: 54 +/- 17%; MED: 61 +/- 13% [p = ns]) or exercise duration on treadmill testing (AVJAP: 4.1 +/- 2 min; MED: 4.6 +/- 2 min [p = ns]); however, the peak ventricular rate was lower in the AVJAP group during exercise (112 +/- 17 beats/min vs. 153 +/- 36 beats/min, p < 0.05) and activities of daily life (117 +/- 16 beats/min vs. 152 +/- 37 beats/min, p < 0.05). The CAST quality-of-life questionnaire revealed that patients in the AVJAP group had fewer symptoms at six months (p = 0.003) and at 12 months (p = 0.004). The observed relative risk reduction in symptoms at 12 months was 18%. Global subjective semiquantitative measurement of quality of life using the "ladder of life" revealed that the AVJAP group reported a 6% better quality of life at six months (p = 0.011).


CONCLUSIONS
In this trial, AVJAP for patients with mild to moderately symptomatic permanent AF did not worsen cardiac function during long-term follow-up, and quality of life was improved.
Weerasooriya
Rukshen
R
Department of Cardiology, Royal Perth Hospital, GPO Box X2213, Perth, Western Australia. rukshen@hotmail.com
Davis
Michael
M
Powell
Anne
A
Szili-Torok
Tamas
T
Shah
Chetan
C
Whalley
David
D
Kanagaratnam
Logan
L
Heddle
William
W
Leitch
James
J
Perks
Ann
A
Ferguson
Louise
L
Bulsara
Max
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D004452:Echocardiography; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D011788:Quality of Life; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents