Actively Recruiting
Characterization of Arrhythmogenic Activity During and After Physical Exercise in Patients With Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
Led by Swiss Federal Institute of Technology · Updated on 2026-03-24
120
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
S
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
Lead Sponsor
U
University of Zurich
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a condition often affecting young and active individuals, especially those with a history of endurance sports. The study aims to measure and describe the abnormal heart rhythms and cardiac stress that ARVC patients experience during various physical activities within recommended heart rate limits, which currently lack scientific backing. Understanding these effects may help design safer exercise guidelines for these patients. Participants with ARVC will perform several physical activities including treadmill walking, cycling at varied intensities, biceps curls, and loaded squats. Each activity lasts 3 minutes followed by a 10-minute recovery period. Extensive heart monitoring will record the number of premature ventricular beats and cardiac load during these exercises, comparing arrhythmogenic activity across different exercise types. During the study, participants will undergo cardiovascular monitoring to assess heart rhythm disturbances and cardiac load in real time. Researchers will measure premature ventricular beats during activity and recovery, along with cardiac output, blood pressure, and rate-pressure product during exercise. The study includes monitoring medication adherence and compliance with exercise restrictions before testing. Participation involves controlled exercise sessions and heart evaluations, aiming to better understand exercise safety for ARVC patients.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Arrhythmogenic Activity During Exercise in ARVC Patients
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Definitive ARVC diagnosis according to the modified 2010 ARVC Task Force Criteria
- Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in plakophilin-2, desmoglein-2, desmoplakin genes, or gene-elusive definite ARVC
- Control group: diagnosed ischemic heart disease with ejection fraction above 35%
- Agreement from primary cardiologist that study participation is within acceptable physical activity levels
- No exercise-induced syncope in the 6 months before participation
- No sudden cardiac arrest in the 6 months before participation
- Patients with prior sudden cardiac arrest or arrhythmic syncope must have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and be on beta-blockers or antiarrhythmic drugs
- Signed informed consent
- Age greater than 14 years
- Body Mass Index between 18.5 and 39.9 kg/m²
- Willingness to follow study rules including no intense exercise 48 hours prior, no exercise 24 hours prior, adequate sleep before testing, no caffeine or alcohol before testing, and adherence to medication regimen
You will not qualify if you...
- No history of genetic testing for ARVC variants
- Heart failure with severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (below 35%)
- For women: pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study
- Known or suspected non-compliance, drug, or alcohol abuse
- Inability to follow study procedures due to language issues, psychological disorders, dementia, or other reasons
- Previous participation in this study
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Single session lasting approximately 1 hour
Participants perform a series of physical activities including treadmill walking, cycling at different intensities, biceps curls, and loaded squats while undergoing cardiovascular monitoring.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 10 minutes after each activity
Participants are monitored during a 10-minute recovery period after each exercise activity to assess arrhythmogenic activity.
Included in the exercise visit
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Exercise Physiology Lab, Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, ETH Zurich
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, 8092
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
F
Fernando G Beltrami, PhD
C
Christina M Spengler, PhD, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
1
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