Tailored heart ablation may beat standard treatment for stubborn AFib

NCT ID NCT03347227

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a personalized catheter ablation approach, guided by mapping low-voltage areas in the heart, works better than standard ablation for people with persistent atrial fibrillation (AFib). About 510 adults with persistent AFib will be randomly assigned to receive either the tailored ablation plus standard pulmonary vein isolation, or standard isolation alone. The main goal is to see if the personalized method reduces episodes of AFib, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia over 18 months.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: catheter ablation (a procedure that uses heat or cold to destroy small areas of heart tissue causing abnormal rhythms)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could offer a more effective, personalized treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation, reducing recurrence and the need for repeat procedures.
What could go wrong: This is a mid-stage trial, and the personalized approach may not prove better than standard ablation. Risks include procedure-related complications like stroke, bleeding, or heart perforation.

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 persistent atrial fibrillation

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Contacts and locations

Locations

CIUSSS de L'Estrie-CHUS-Hopital Fleurimont

Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1H 5N4, Canada
Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal (CHUM)

Montreal, Quebec, H2W 1T8, Canada
Hamilton General Hospital

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Institute Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie du Quebec (IUCPQ)

Québec, Quebec, G1V 4G5, Canada
Libin Cardiovascular Institute

Calgary, Alberta, Canada
London Health Sciences Centre

London, Ontario, Canada
McGill University Health Centre

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Montreal Heart Institute

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
QEII Health Sciences Centre, Nova Scotia Health Authority

Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V7, Canada
Rouge Valley Regional Heart Centre

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Southlake Regional Health Centre

Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 2P9, Canada
St. Michael's Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1W8, Canada
University of Ottawa Heart Institute

Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4W7, Canada
Vancouver General Hospital

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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