Can zapping an extra vein stop atrial fibrillation better?
NCT ID NCT07724899
First seen Jul 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 28, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This trial investigates whether isolating the superior vena cava, in addition to the standard pulmonary vein isolation, improves success rates for treating atrial fibrillation. Using a newer, safer energy source called pulsed field ablation, the study compares the two procedures in 200 adults with documented AF. The goal is to see if targeting non-pulmonary vein triggers can reduce recurrence without added harm.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- pulsed field ablation procedure to isolate the superior vena cava and pulmonary veins
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could reduce atrial fibrillation recurrence by targeting an additional trigger site beyond the standard pulmonary vein isolation.
- What could go wrong
- This is a single-center trial with 200 participants, and the added isolation may not improve outcomes or could increase procedure risks like phrenic nerve injury.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 200 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2026
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years; * Patients with documented atrial fibrillation (AF), confirmed by at least one episode of AF recorded on a 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) or ambulatory ECG monitoring within the past 12 months; * Subjects who agree to undergo treatment for AF using a pulsed field ablation (PFA) system that is currently commercially available in China; * Patients who have shown an inadequate response to, or intolerance of, at least one class of antiarrhythmic drug therapy; * Subjects or their legally authorized representatives who have been informed of the nature of this study, have agreed to all terms and conditions of the study, and have provided written informed consent, and who are willing to complete all required clinical follow-up visits in accordance with the study protocol. Exclusion Criteria: * Prior surgical or catheter ablation for any type of cardiac arrhythmia; * AF secondary to electrolyte imbalance, valvular heart disease, thyroid disease, or other reversible causes; * Known requirement for ablation outside the pulmonary vein ostia or beyond the cavotricuspid isthmus; * Sinus node dysfunction or other indications for permanent pacemaker implantation; * Myocardial infarction, or prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within the past 6 months; * Left atrial anteroposterior diameter ≥ 50 mm; * Evidence of left atrial or left atrial appendage thrombus confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) or left atrial computed tomography (CT) within 24 hours prior to the procedure; * Serum creatinine \> 2 times the upper limit of normal, or currently on dialysis; * History of prior cardiothoracic surgery; * History of permanent pacemaker implantation; * History of malignancy; * Long-term use of a central venous catheter; * Contraindications to anticoagulation therapy (including allergy to anticoagulants, thrombocytopenia, severe bleeding tendency, or coagulation disorders); * History of allergy to contrast; * Women who are pregnant, lactating, or who are unwilling to use adequate contraception during the study period; * Subjects or their legally authorized representatives who are unwilling to provide written informed consent; * Subjects who, for any reason, are unable to comply with the study protocol or complete all required clinical follow-up visits; * Subjects deemed by the investigator to be unsuitable for PFA treatment of AF.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Qiang Hu
RECRUITINGChengdu, Sichuan, 610000, China
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Evaluation of the factors associated with bradtycardia following pulmonary vein isolation using pulsed field ablation
- Can remote exercise sessions boost heart recovery after ablation?
- Can a heart drug keep atrial fibrillation at bay after ablation?
- Can a new drug stop long atrial fibrillation episodes?
- Which ablation method best stops atrial fibrillation from returning?
- Your phone's camera might spot a hidden heart rhythm problem