Tailored heart ablation may beat standard treatment for stubborn AFib

NCT ID NCT03347227

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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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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.

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