The Biomedical Research Institute Catalunya Sud (IRB CatSud) has launched the PERIVERSION clinical trial, the first drug study in which the institute acts as the promoter. This is an academic, independent, low-intervention trial aiming to assess the efficacy of amiodarone in reversing persistent atrial fibrillation prior to electrical cardioversion.
According to Josep M. Alegret, who leads the trial and is head of Cardiology at the Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, "although this drug is the most used antiarrhythmic in Europe, there is still no solid clinical evidence regarding its usefulness or optimal administration protocol for this indication".
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, affecting approximately 4% to 5% of the population over 40, a figure that rises to 18% in those over 80. Risk factors such as aging, high blood pressure, and certain heart conditions increase the likelihood of developing it.
This heart rhythm disorder can cause palpitations, heart failure, and a significant risk of stroke. Therefore, improving available therapeutic strategies is crucial for patients' quality of life and prognosis.
The study involves participation from centers including the Hospital de Sant Pau, the Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, the Hospital Clínico de Santiago, and the Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus. The Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII and other Spanish centers will join soon.
The trial will compare two amiodarone administration regimens: one starting five days before electrical cardioversion and another starting one month prior. The goal is to determine if the treatment can not only prevent new recurrences of the arrhythmia but also reverse it before the scheduled electrical intervention.
The launch of this project represents a significant organizational challenge for IRB CatSud, consolidating its leadership in clinical research. The project has received funding from the Societat Catalana de Cardiologia and the Sociedad Española de Cardiología.
