Home › Trials › NCT07087587
Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 85

CPAP for sleep apnea–triggered atrial fibrillation

Official title: Sleep Apnea Triggers of Atrial Fibrillation: N-of-1 Randomized Control Trial (SPARTA):

Run by The Cleveland Clinic · NCT07087587 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This pilot tests whether alternating periods with and without CPAP can cut down AF episodes and improve AF-related quality of life for people with paroxysmal AF and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
Enrollment20 (estimated)
SponsorThe Cleveland Clinic
Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Cleveland, Ohio and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 25, 2025
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2026
Study endsDecember 31, 2026
Registry record updatedApril 13, 2026
Trial IDNCT07087587 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults aged 18–85 with paroxysmal AF (atrial burden ≥1%), moderate to severe OSA (AHI ≥15), an implanted device with atrial diagnostics, and enrollment in remote monitoring are ideal candidates.

Probably not a fit

People without implanted atrial-monitoring devices, with central sleep apnea, recent AF ablation (<6 months), or already on non-CPAP OSA therapies are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a pilot N-of-1 randomized crossover trial in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Each participant alternates between 2-week periods with CPAP and 2-week periods without CPAP over a three-month total follow-up. AF episode data are collected continuously from participants' implanted cardiac devices and AF-related quality of life is measured with the AFEQT questionnaire. The study also tracks CPAP adherence to examine its relationship with changes in AF burden and will inform the design of a larger randomized trial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, using CPAP consistently could reduce the number of AF episodes and improve patients' AF-related quality of life.

How similar studies have gone: Observational studies and some cohort data have suggested CPAP may lower AF recurrence, but randomized evidence is limited and the N-of-1 crossover approach here is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Informed consent
2. Age 18-85 years
3. High burden paroxysmal AF (≥1%)
4. Moderate-severe OSA (AHI ≥ 15)
5. Implanted device with atrial diagnostics
6. Enrolled in remote monitoring

Exclusion Criteria:

1. AF ablation \<6 months
2. Valvular abnormalities
3. Excessive daytime sleepiness in safety-critical jobs
4. Plans for ablation during study
5. Non-CPAP OSA treatment
6. Recent device implantation (\<6 months)
7. Central sleep apnea

Where it's running

  • Cleveland Clinic
    Cleveland, Ohio, United States     Recruiting
  • University of Washington
    Seattle, Washington, United States     Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ Find more trials like this →
Browse more
Sleep Apnea Syndrome, Obstructive 4CPAP 6The Cleveland Clinic 127
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.