Clinical Trial Opportunities at the Atrial Fibrillation Center
Research plays a prominent role at the Atrial Fibrillation Center. Current research interests include:
- The use of ablation as initial therapy for atrial fibrillation
- The combination of NAVx and intracardiac echocardiography for ablation of atrial fibrillation
- Evaluation of pulmonary veins by intracardiac echocardiography and MRI
- 3-dimensional CT imaging of the left atrium
- Long-term results from intracardiac echocardiography-guided ablation
- The effects of ablation on heart rate turbulence
- Is conduction block across linear lesions necessary for clinical efficacy?
- Clinical and echocardiographic predictors of success from ablation therapy
- Evaluation of atrial fibrillation burden
- Optimal anticoagulation management during atrial fibrillation ablation
Currently open clinical trials include:
"ENABLE" Endoscopic Ablation using Light Energy
The purpose of this randomized study is to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the CardioFocus Endoscopic Ablation System in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. This ablation system includes unique, custom devices that are used to apply laser energy under direct visualization to the pulmonary veins in participants presenting with recurrent, paroxysmal, symptomatic AF.
A few of the criteria that must be met include:
- Male or female, 18-65 years of age
- Failed or intolerant to one or two Class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs such as Sotalol, Flecainide, Dofetilide, or Amiodarone.
- Have had at least three symptomatic AF episodes in the three months prior to enrollment with one documented episode in the past year prior to enrollment.
“FocusAF” Focused Circumferential UltraSound for the
treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness between an investigational catheter ablation method (a procedure used to destroy (ablate) areas of the heart that are causing abnormal rhythms) and normal medications used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The HIFU Ablation System consists of a generator and catheter which work together to apply high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) energy to isolate the pulmonary veins of the heart.
A few of the criteria that must be met include:
- Male or female, 18-70 years of age
- At least two symptomatic AF episodes within the past six months
- Failed or intolerant to at least one FDA approved antiarrhythmic drug such as Flecainide, Sotalol, or Dofetilide.
For more information, please visit the ProRhythm website.
“ProtectAF”
WATCHMAN Left Atrial
Appendage System for Embolic Protection in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
This is a randomized
study comparing the WATCHMAN device to the standard warfarin (the blood-thinner
known as Coumadin) therapy for people with atrial fibrillation. The
WATCHMAN device is designed to keep harmful sized blood clots that form in the
left atrial appendage (LAA) from entering your blood stream, potentially
causing a stroke. It is made of materials that are common to many medical
devices. This device is designed to be permanently placed just behind or
at the opening of the LAA.
A couple of the criteria that must be met include:
- Male or female, 18 years of age or older
- Eligible for long-term warfarin therapy, or able to come off warfarin therapy if LAA is sealed
View a video clip (mpeg) on the procedure. For more information, please visit the Atritech website.
“Pace Term” Pace Termination of AF From Mapping-Guided
Sites
The purpose of this study is to collect data during an electrophysiology (EP) study (test that measures the electrical activity of your heart) to help identify the cause of atrial fibrillation. The research part of the study involves a new pacing (supplying electrical impulses to your heart) protocol to stop AF in patients.
A couple of the criteria that must be met include:
- Male or female, 18 years of age or older
- Are scheduled to have an EP study and ablation procedure