Assessing a new catheter and ablation system for treating ventricular tachycardia
Official title: Safety and Performance Assessment of the Sphere-9™ Catheter and Affera™ Ablation System for the Treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia
Run by Medtronic Cardiac Ablation Solutions · NCT06703489 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new catheter and ablation system to see if it can help adults with recurring ventricular tachycardia feel better after their heart problems.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Medtronic Cardiac Ablation Solutions Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 6 sites (Boston, Massachusetts and 5 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 18, 2025 |
| Main results expected | November 2026 |
| Study ends | May 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 3, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06703489 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 85 with a history of myocardial infarction and recurrent sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients experiencing incessant ventricular tachycardia requiring hemodynamic support or those with unstable polymorphic ventricular tachycardia may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the safety and performance of the Sphere-9 Catheter and Affera Ablation System in adults with recurrent, sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia following a myocardial infarction. It is a prospective, multi-center, non-randomized, unblinded feasibility study that aims to enroll patients who have experienced episodes of ventricular tachycardia despite existing treatments. Participants will undergo treatment with the new catheter and ablation system to determine its effectiveness in managing their condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a new treatment option for patients suffering from recurrent ventricular tachycardia, potentially improving their quality of life and reducing the risk of serious cardiac events.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in using catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia, indicating that this approach is not entirely novel but may offer advancements in treatment.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Any of the following: 1. Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients with prior history of myocardial infarction (MI). 2. Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) patients with documented myocardial scar in a territory without coronary stenosis as evidenced by cardiac imaging. 2. At least one episode of sustained (continuous for \>30 seconds or requiring ICD intervention for termination) monomorphic ventricular tachycardia within the 6 months prior to enrollment. 3. Recurrence of sustained ventricular tachycardia despite class I or III antiarrhythmic drug therapy or ICD intervention. 4. Implanted with an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) or CRT-D for at least 3 months prior to the ablation procedure. 5. Age 18 through 85 years old. 6. Willing and able to provide informed consent. 7. Willing and able to comply with all pre-, post-, and follow-up testing requirements. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Incessant VT necessitating hemodynamic support prior to the ablation procedure. 2. Unstable polymorphic VT or ventricular fibrillation (VF). 3. VTs due to any of the following: 1. Idiopathic VT 2. Automaticity or triggered activity 3. Lamin or titin genetic mutation 4. Ventricular tachycardia secondary to electrolyte imbalance, active thyroid disease, or any other reversible or non-cardiac cause (e.g., drug induced arrhythmia). 4. NICM subjects with active inflammatory processes (e.g., myocarditis) within 120 days prior to the ablation procedure. 5. VT or VF thought to be from channelopathies. 6. More than two prior VT ablations at any time, more than one prior VT ablation within 12 months prior to the ablation procedure, or any VT ablation within 4 weeks prior to the ablation procedure. 7. Sarcoidosis. 8. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, except when due to an apical aneurysm. 9. Unstable angina. 10. Active myocardial ischemia. 11. Type 1 myocardial infarction within 2 months (60 days) prior to the ablation procedure. 12. Any percutaneous coronary intervention within 2 months (60 days) prior to the ablation procedure. 13. Any cardiac surgery within 3 months (90 days) prior to the ablation procedure. 14. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \<15%. 15. NYHA Class IV heart failure. 16. Decompensated heart failure. 17. Currently receiving support, or anticipated to receive support prior to the index ablation procedure, via extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). 18. Ventricular assist device (VAD) implanted, planned or required for the procedure. 19. Severe aortic or mitral stenosis, or severe aortic or mitral regurgitation. 20. Presence of prosthetic valve in the aortic or mitral valve. 21. Patients with advanced COPD (on home oxygen). 22. Presence of intracardiac thrombus, tumor, or other abnormality that precludes vascular access, catheter introduction, or manipulation. 23. Thromboembolic event (stroke or transient ischemic attack) within 6 months (180 days) prior to the index ablation procedure or with neurologic deficit. 24. Left atrium (LA) or left ventricle (LV) intracardiac thrombus on imaging. 25. Severe bleeding, clotting or thrombotic disorder, or thrombocytopenia (defined as platelet count \<80,000). 26. Contraindication to anticoagulation. 27. End-stage renal disease (requiring dialysis). 28. Acute illness, active infection, or sepsis. 29. Life expectancy less than 12 months. 30. Any woman known to be pregnant or breastfeeding, or any woman of childbearing potential who is not on a reliable form of birth regulation method or abstinence. 31. Body mass index \>45 kg/m2. 32. Known ongoing drug or alcohol dependency. 33. Current or anticipated participation in any other ongoing study of a drug, device, or biologic during the duration of the study not pre-approved by the Sponsor. 34. Vulnerable subjects (such as a prisoner, handicapped or mentally disabled person, or person under tutelage or guardianship). 35. Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude enrollment in this study or compliance with follow-up requirements or would pose a significant hazard to the subject if an ablation procedure were performed.
Where it's running
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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting -
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, New York, United States Recruiting -
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States Recruiting -
Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Research Foundation
Austin, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Vivek Reddy, MD — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Josh Treadway
- Email: josh.b.treadway@medtronic.com
- Phone: 817-412-0608
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Risk of malignant arrhythmias after acute coronary syndrome
This study tracks how often dangerous heart rhythms occur in adults admitted for ACS and looks for patterns that might predict them.
-
Targeted ablation to block scar channels that cause ventricular tachycardia
This study tests whether targeted radiofrequency ablation of scar-channel exits can prevent ventricular tachycardia in patients with scarred hearts.
-
Predict Arrhythmia Risk with Intelligent Software
Researchers are testing AI-powered predictions to see if clinicians can spot patients at risk for dangerous heart rhythms using bedside ECG data.
-
Severe Complications During VT/PVC Ablation
This study looks at real-world cases to see what severe complications occur during VT or PVC ablations and how patients are managed afterward.
-
Non-invasive mapping to help treat ventricular tachycardia due to heart disease
This study tests a non-invasive mapping tool to guide VT ablation in adults with structural heart disease and prior heart attack.
-
Personalised VT substrate mapping with dynamic voltage mapping during ablation
A procedure study to see if using dynamic voltage mapping during VT ablation helps identify and treat scar-related electrical circuits in people with ventricular tachycardia.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.