Could a common diabetes drug tame a tricky heart rhythm?

NCT ID NCT04625946

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at whether metformin, a drug usually used for diabetes, can help prevent atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) from coming back after a standard procedure called catheter ablation. About 117 non-diabetic adults with a higher body weight took metformin or no extra treatment for a year after their ablation. The goal was to see if metformin could reduce the return of abnormal heart rhythms.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
Metformin (a diabetes drug)
What this could lead to
If it works, metformin could become a simple, low-cost add-on to reduce the chance of atrial fibrillation returning after ablation.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase study (117 people) and metformin is being tested in people without diabetes, so results may not apply widely. Side effects like stomach upset are possible.

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.

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States

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