Recruitment completed for leading UK study looking into treatments for leading cause of sudden cardiac death

A leading UK study aiming to improve outcomes for patients with potentially life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) has successfully completed recruitment at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust.

The randomised clinical trial (RCT) is the first in the world to compare two different types of cauterising catheters for treating ventricular tachycardia (VT), a leading cause of sudden cardiac death.

Working with Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, medical companies Medtronic and Abbott Medical, the study has involved 61 patients at University Hospital, Coventry, and the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Participants all required catheter ablation (CA) where thin wires are inserted into the heart and small areas of unhealthy heart tissue are burnt (ablated) to stop the VT.

Researchers have been testing a new Diamond Temp ablation catheter which works differently to the current industry gold standard catheter.

The DiamondTemp system uses a black diamond tip that allows the catheter to measure the tip to tissue temperature far more accurately.

This gives the operating team more control of the radiofrequency energy delivered and means even the most complex types of arrhythmias can be treated.

UHCW Honorary Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist Tarv Dhanjal, Professor of Cardiology at Warwick Medical School and Chief Investigator of the trial, said: “We are extremely grateful to patients in Coventry and Brighton for enabling us to achieve such an important milestone.

“Patients with VT secondary to heart disease are complex and challenging to manage due to their poor heart function and tendency to suffer potentially fatal heart rhythms.

“This is an important trial to inform how different technologies can improve the success rates of VT ablation.”

All those who took part already had an internal cardiac defibrillator (ICD) implanted. While this can deliver a lifesaving shock, an ICD does not treat the underlying cause of the VT.

Participants do not know which catheter they have received but have follow-up appointments over 12 months to look at how successful the procedure has been.

Patient Sarah Worsfold initially came to hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest. After drug therapy resulted in side effects, she was enrolled into the trial.

“Once I was in the theatre I was made to feel at complete ease, I could not have asked for better care,” she said.

“I found the whole thing fascinating, watching the screen, it was mesmerising. The passion which Professor Dhanjal has for the procedure was clear.

“That pride is clearly shared with everyone in the team and this was evident from day one right through to my 12 month check-up.”

Results from the trial will now be analysed and should be published at the start of 2026.

UHCW NHS Trust Chief Executive Officer, Professor Andy Hardy, said: “UHCW has a world-class reputation in cardiac care and to see high-quality research taking place at the Trust only enhances that further.

“It is great to see our partnership work with other organisations helping to achieve better results and outcomes for our patients.”

Professor Andrew McAinsh, Deputy Dean and Pro-Dean (Research) at Warwick Medical School, said: “This is a brilliant achievement for Tarv and the team at UHCW and Warwick Medical School

“They are pushing the boundaries of knowledge in heart rhythm research and improving outcomes for patients. I’m excited to see what’s next in this important area of translational research.”

The trial was funded by an industry research grant along with a donation from Coventry University, where Cardiac Physiologist Ian Patchett has been managing the trial with the UHCW Research and Development team as part of his PhD.

“At Medtronic, we are committed to advancing the science and pioneering new technologies to improve the lives of patients with cardiac arrhythmias,” said Khaldoun Tarakji, MD, MPH, vice president and chief medical officer, Cardiac Ablation Solutions at Medtronic.

“We are proud to support this important investigator-initiated trial and the evaluation of potential new treatment options for patients with ventricular tachycardia.”