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Heart surgery for athletes: does zapping faulty signals boost or bust performance?

NCT ID NCT07726056

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: University Hospital of Leuven Leuven Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026

Summary

This trial investigates whether cardiac ablation — a procedure that destroys tiny areas of heart tissue causing irregular rhythms — can improve exercise capacity in endurance athletes with atrial fibrillation. One hundred athletes who train at least four hours per week will have their peak oxygen uptake measured before and after the procedure. The study aims to settle conflicting evidence on whether ablation helps or hinders athletic performance.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
cardiac ablation (pulmonary vein isolation) for atrial fibrillation
What this could lead to
If it works, this could clarify whether ablation helps endurance athletes with AF maintain or improve their exercise performance without the side effects of drugs.
What could go wrong
This is a relatively small, non-randomized study. Ablation carries risks like atrial stiffening or altered heart rate regulation, which could actually impair performance.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

atrial fibrillation

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION (AF)

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Jessa Hospital, Department of Cardiology

    RECRUITING

    Hasselt, Limburg, 3500, Belgium

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • St. Vincent's Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Melbourne, Australia

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • UZ Leuven

    RECRUITING

    Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, 3000, Belgium

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen

    RECRUITING

    Antwerp, Antwerpen, 2000, Belgium

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • ZOL Genk

    RECRUITING

    Genk, Limburg, 3600, Belgium

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

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