Cardiac ablation for endurance athletes with atrial fibrillation
Official title: Performance After Cardiac Ablation in Endurance Athletes for Atrial Fibrillation
Run by University Hospital of Leuven Leuven · NCT07726056 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether catheter ablation can help endurance athletes with atrial fibrillation and how it might affect their performance.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital of Leuven Leuven Academic / other |
| Locations | 5 sites (Melbourne and 4 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2030 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2032 |
| Registry record updated | July 27, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07726056 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Endurance athletes aged 18–80 with atrial fibrillation who train at least 4 hours per week and can share or start collecting training data.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients without training data or with certain cardiovascular conditions outside the eligibility criteria may not experience benefit from ablation in 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 multicenter interventional study will enroll 100 endurance athletes with atrial fibrillation to undergo catheter ablation. It aims to assess the impact of ablation on physical performance, training data, and AF symptoms, while monitoring safety and any changes in exercise capacity. Participants will provide training data from platforms like Strava or TrainingPeaks to help understand real-world performance before and after the procedure. The trial will also consider potential trade-offs, such as changes in atrial function and the need for potential repeat procedures. The study addresses a gap where evidence on ablation effects in athletes is limited and inconclusive.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, ablation could offer better symptom control and possibly improved or preserved athletic performance for some endurance athletes with AF.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small studies provide mixed results; this larger multicenter study seeks more definitive evidence on performance and safety.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-80 years * Participation in endurance sports (≥4 hours/week) * Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation * Capturing training data through commercially available platforms (e.g. Strava, TrainingPeaks, …) or willingness to start collecting training data and working with these commercially available platforms prospectively Exclusion Criteria: * No training data available * History of cardiovascular disease (including ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, primary electrical disorders, or congestive heart failure) * Active smoking
Where it's running
-
St. Vincent's Hospital
Melbourne, Australia Recruiting -
Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen
Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium Recruiting -
ZOL Genk
Genk, Limburg, Belgium Recruiting -
Jessa Hospital, Department of Cardiology
Hasselt, Limburg, Belgium Recruiting -
UZ Leuven
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Guido Claessen, MD, PhD — University of Hasselt, LCRC
- Study coordinator: Boris Delpire, MD
- Email: boris.delpire@uhasselt.be
- Phone: +32477399875
Similar studies
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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.