Colchicine for Patients With Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a well-established alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement for the treatment of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. While peri-procedural complications such as stroke, vascular complications and bleeding have substantially declined with the refinement of transcatheter valves and increasing experience, new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) or atrioventricular conduction disturbances continue to occur in almost half of all patients. Colchicine is a well-known substance that has been approved for the treatment of acute gout flares and familial Mediterranean fever in many countries. Colchicine has proven safe and effective in the prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. The anti-inflammatory effects of colchicine may mitigate the occurrence of atrioventricular conduction disturbances and thus the need for the implantation of a permanent pacemaker post transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The objective of the Co-STAR-Trial is to investigate the efficacy of colchicine for the prevention of new-onset atrial fibrillation and conduction disturbances requiring the implantation of a permanent pacemaker in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Co-STAR is an investigator-initiated, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 200 patients referred for treatment of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and selected to undergo TAVI will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the treatment with Colchicine or placebo for 30 days post transcatheter aortic valve implantation.