Freezing heart tissue: new balloon trial for AFib patients
NCT ID NCT05905835
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests a new device called the Synaptic Cryoablation System, which uses a balloon to freeze small areas of the heart and correct irregular heartbeats in people with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. 128 participants will receive the treatment and be followed for 12 months. The goal is to see if it safely stops abnormal heart rhythms and improves symptoms.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Synaptic Cryoablation System (a device that freezes heart tissue to correct irregular heartbeats)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a new, effective option for controlling atrial fibrillation and reducing symptoms without long-term medication.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage trial with only 128 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Risks include procedure-related complications like heart damage or stroke.
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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128 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2023
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2025
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
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 to 80 years
- 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: * Diagnosis of symptomatic Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (PAF), defined as atrial fibrillation that terminates spontaneously or with intervention (either through procedure or drug therapy) within seven (7) days of onset. Minimum documentation includes the following: 1. A physician's note indicating recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) which includes at least two (2) symptomatic AF episodes within six (6) months prior to enrollment; AND 2. One electrocardiographically (from any form of rhythm monitoring, including consumer devices) documented AF episode within 12 months prior to enrollment. * Refractory or intolerant to at least one (1) Class I or III anti-arrhythmic medication or contraindicated to any class I or III medication. * Suitable candidate for catheter ablation. * Adults aged 18 - 80 years. * Willing and able to comply with all baseline and follow-up evaluations for the full length of the study. * Willing and able to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of persistent AF, i.e., continuous AF lasting longer than seven (7) days from onset * In the opinion of the Investigator, any known contraindication to an atrial ablation or anticoagulation. Including but not limited to the identification of any atrial thrombus or evidence of sepsis * History of previous left atrial ablation or surgical treatment for AF/AFL/AT * Atrial fibrillation secondary to electrolyte imbalance, thyroid disease, or any other reversible or non-cardiac cause * Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 40 * Structural heart disease or implanted devices as described below: 1. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 40% based on most recent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) performed ≤ 180 days prior to enrollment 2. Left atrial diameter \> 5.5 cm or left atrial volume \> 50 ml/m2 indexed based on most recent TTE or TEE performed ≤ 180 days prior to enrollment 3. Implanted pacemaker, ICD, CRT device within 90 days prior to enrollment 4. Previous cardiac surgery, ventriculotomy, or atriotomy (excluding atriotomy for CABG) 5. Previous cardiac valvular surgical or percutaneous procedure, or prosthetic valve, including mitral valve clips 6. Interatrial baffle, closure device, patch, or patent foramen ovale (PFO) occluder 7. Presence of a left atrial appendage occlusion device 8. Presence of any pulmonary vein stents 9. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), PTCA, PCI, or coronary stent procedures within 90 days prior to enrollment 10. Unstable angina or ongoing myocardial ischemia 11. ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) within 90 days prior to enrollment 12. Moderate or Severe Mitral Insufficiency or Mitral Stenosis, severity based on the most recent TTE or TEE performed ≤ 180 days prior to enrollment 13. Evidence of left atrial thrombus * History of cryoglobulinemia * Significant untreated restrictive or obstructive pulmonary disease or chronic respiratory condition * Renal failure requiring dialysis * History of blood clotting or bleeding disease * History of documented cerebral infarct, TIA or systemic embolism,excluding post-operative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) ≤ 180 days prior to enrollment * Active systemic infection * Pregnant or lactating (current or anticipated during the study) * Current enrollment in any other study protocol where testing or results from that study may interfere with the procedure or outcome measurements for this study * Any other condition that, in the judgment of the Investigator, makes the patient a poor candidate for this procedure, the study or compliance with the protocol (includes, but not limited to, vulnerable patient population, mental illness, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), addictive disease, terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than two (2) years, or extensive travel away from the research center)
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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
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Banner University Medical Center
Phoenix, Arizona, 85006, United States
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Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States
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Christus Health Frances Hospital
Tyler, Texas, 75701, United States
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Dignity Health Arizona Research Enterprise
Phoenix, Arizona, 85006, United States
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Mercy General Hospital
Sacramento, California, 95819, United States
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Northwell Health - Lenox Hill Hospital
New York, New York, 10075, United States
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St. Bernard's Heart & Vascular
Jonesboro, Arkansas, 72401, United States
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St. Luke's Mid America
Kansas City, Missouri, 64111, United States
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VCU Pauley Heart Center
Richmond, Virginia, 23298, United States
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Pulsed electric fields take aim at irregular heartbeats
- Could a bigger balloon tame the Heart's electrical chaos?
- Can a new heart ablation technique work without x-rays?
- Could a gentle sedation cocktail replace general anesthesia for heart ablation?
- Can a new freezing balloon tame a fluttering heart as well as the old one?
- Heart signals may reveal if a common AFib procedure will last