Heart rhythm mystery: new study maps hidden triggers of persistent AF
NCT ID NCT04041778
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at 17 adults with persistent atrial fibrillation (a long-lasting heart rhythm problem) to find specific areas in the heart that may keep the condition going. Researchers used special mapping to identify stable high-frequency electrical signals. The goal was to better understand what causes persistent AF, so future treatments can be more effective.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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17 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2019
- Finished
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Sep 2024
- 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.
Who is studied
Patients will have been diagnosed with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (persAF). They will have been listed for a first time persAF ablation as part of standard routine care.
- 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: * Must be aged 18 years or over * Must be able to communicate in written and spoken English * Must be able to give signed informed consent. * All patients must be defined as having persistent atrial fibrillation (AF \> 7 days) and must be in AF at the start of the procedure. * The patient preferably should be undergoing AF ablation for the first time, however repeat ablations can be permitted. * The patient must be listed for persistent AF ablation as part of standard clinical care. Exclusion Criteria: * Symptoms secondary to ischaemic or valvular heart disease * Congenital heart disease * Previous history of a cardiac arrhythmia (other than AF, atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter). * Previous cardiothoracic surgery * Underlying severe respiratory disease (i.e. patient on long term oxygen therapy) * Medical conditions which will affect cardiac rhythm, even if treated (e.g. thyroxine, etc.) * Presence of chest deformity. * Left atrial dilatation (L or R atrial end-diastolic dimension \> 4.5cm in any conventional plane of measurement on 2D transthoracic echocardiography). * Presence of implantable cardiac defibrillator or pacemaker (including cardiac resynchronisation devices).
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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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University Hospitals Leicester NHS Foundation Trust, Glenfield Hospital
Leicester, LE3 9QP, United Kingdom
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Two ways to quiet a racing heart: trial pits hybrid ablation against standard catheter treatment
- Extra vein ablation tested to keep persistent AFib from returning
- Duel of ablation catheters: which wins for persistent AF?
- Can a new drug stop long atrial fibrillation episodes?
- Which ablation method wins for tough atrial fibrillation cases?
- Can a diabetes drug keep the heart in rhythm?