Redo AF ablation using the Sphere-9 catheter and Affera system for recurrent paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation
Official title: Conquer-AF Protocol for Redo Ablation Procedures in Recurrent Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Using the Sphere-9 Catheter and Affera Ablation System (Conquer-AF)
Run by Medtronic Cardiac Ablation Solutions · NCT07298473 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The study will try the Sphere-9 catheter with the Affera ablation and mapping systems for adults who have symptomatic recurrent paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation after one prior ablation.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 400 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Medtronic Cardiac Ablation Solutions Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 30 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 29 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 8, 2026 |
| Main results expected | March 29, 2028 |
| Study ends | March 29, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | October 19, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07298473 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥18) with symptomatic recurrent paroxysmal or persistent AF documented after a single prior ablation procedure within the past three years and willing to comply with follow-up are the intended candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with continuous AF for 12 months or longer, left atrial size above protocol thresholds, more than one prior AF ablation, or inability to follow study procedures 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 prospective, multi-center, non-randomized interventional study enrolling up to 400 adults with symptomatic recurrent paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation after a single prior ablation. Each participant will undergo a redo ablation procedure using the Sphere-9 Catheter and Affera Ablation System with the Affera Mapping or Integrated Mapping System and then be followed for 12 months. Follow-up visits are scheduled at 7 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months with cardiac monitoring including a 24-hour Holter at study exit. The study will collect safety and effectiveness data across up to 30 sites in the United States, Europe, and Australia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce recurrent AF episodes and improve symptom control for patients needing a redo ablation.
How similar studies have gone: Advanced mapping and pulsed field or modern radiofrequency ablation technologies have shown promising results in prior work, but the Sphere-9 catheter used with the Affera system for redo procedures is a relatively new combination with limited prior large-scale data.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 1\. History of a single AF ablation procedure for PAF or PsAF within 3 years prior to enrollment 2. Documented evidence of symptomatic AF, AT or AFL recurrence at least 90 days after subject's de novo ablation procedure, as demonstrated by: * A physicians' note indicating at least 1 symptomatic AF, AT, or AFL episode occurring within 12 months prior to the enrollment; and * At least 1 electrocardiographically documented episode of AF, AT, or AFL within 12 months prior to enrollment 3. Adults who are ≥18 years of age on the day of enrollment 4. Willing and able to comply with all study requirements and provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * 1\. Continuous AF lasting for 12 months or longer 2. LA anteroposterior \>55 mm (by MRI, CT, or TTE), or if LA diameter not available, non-index volume \>100 mL for PsAF subjects; OR LA anteroposterior \>50 mm (by MRI, CT, or TTE), or if LA diameter not available, non-index volume \>95 mL for PAF subjects 3. Previous left atrial percutaneous interventions including left atrial appendage occlusion and septal closure devices 4. Planned left atrial appendage (LAA) closure procedure, cardiac transplantation or implant of a permanent pacemaker, biventricular pacemaker, loop recorder/insertable cardiac monitor (ICM), or any type of implantable cardiac defibrillator (with or without biventricular pacing function) for any time during the follow-up period 5. More than 1 previous AF ablation procedure 6. Any prior surgical ablation procedure 7. Patient who is not on oral anticoagulation therapy for at least 3 weeks prior to the ablation procedure 8. Contraindication to or unwillingness to use systemic anticoagulation 9. Severe thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia, or any bleeding or clotting disorder 10. Presence of a permanent pacemaker, biventricular pacemaker, loop recorder/insertable cardiac monitor (ICM), or any type of implantable cardiac defibrillator (with or without biventricular pacing function) 11. Presence of any pulmonary vein stents 12. Known pre-existing pulmonary vein stenosis 13. Pre-existing hemidiaphragmatic paralysis 14. Prior valvular (surgical or percutaneous) procedure including prosthetic, bioprosthetic, valve replacement, valve repair or valvuloplasty, or any prior atriotomy 15. Moderate to severe mitral valve or aortic stenosis 16. Moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (i.e., 3+ or 4+ MR) 17. Any cardiac surgery, myocardial infarction, PCI/PTCA or coronary artery stenting which occurred within the 3 months preceding the consent date 18. NYHA Class III or IV congestive heart failure 19. Documented left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40%, measured by acceptable cardiac testing (e.g., TTE) 20. Unstable angina 21. Severe lung disease, primary pulmonary hypertension, or any lung disease requiring supplemental oxygen 22. Rheumatic heart disease 23. Significant restrictive or obstructive pulmonary disease or chronic respiratory condition 24. Presence of left atrial thrombus on imaging 25. Active systemic infection or sepsis 26. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy 27. Amyloid heart disease 28. Diagnosed atrial myxoma 29. Known reversible causes of AF (e.g., uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, severe untreated obstructive sleep apnea, acute alcohol toxicity or other reversible or non-cardiac cause) 30. Any cerebral ischemic event (strokes or TIAs) which occurred within the preceding 6 months of the consent date through the date of study index redo ablation procedure 31. Carotid stenting or endarterectomy 32. Thromboembolic event within the past 6 months or evidence of intracardiac thrombus at the time of the procedure 33. Body mass index \> 40 kg/m2 34. 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\* 35. Patient with life expectancy that makes it unlikely 12 months of follow-up will be completed 36. Current or anticipated participation in any other clinical study of a drug, device or biologic during the duration of the study not pre-approved by Medtronic 37. Renal insufficiency with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \<30 mL/min/1.73 m2, or any history of renal failure requiring dialysis or renal transplant 38. Presence of intramural thrombus, tumor, or other abnormality that precludes vascular access, catheter introduction, or manipulation 39. Presence of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter (e.g., Greenfield or similar) that would preclude safe transfemoral venous access, catheter passage, or sheath manipulation. 40\. Known drug or alcohol dependency 41. Significant congenital anomaly or medical problem that would, in the opinion of the investigator, preclude enrollment, follow-up compliance, or the scientific integrity of the study \*Women who are of child-bearing potential must undergo a pregnancy test after consent and prior to the study index redo ablation procedure, as allowed according to local regulations
Where it's running
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University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital
Birmingham, Alabama, United States Recruiting -
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting -
NCH Rooney Heart Institute
Naples, Florida, United States Recruiting -
AdventHealth Cardiovascular Research Institute
Orlando, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Piedmont Heart Institute
Atlanta, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
Memorial Health University Medical Center
Savannah, Georgia, United States Recruiting
Show 24 more locations
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting -
Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute (Midwest Heart and Vascular Specialist)
Kansas City, Missouri, United States Recruiting -
Northwell Health Lenox Hill Hospital
New Hyde Park, New York, United States Recruiting -
NYU Langone Health
New York, New York, United States Recruiting -
Montefiore Medical Center
The Bronx, New York, United States Recruiting -
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
OhioHealth Research and Innovation Institute (OHRI)
Columbus, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
Allegheny General Hospital
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States Recruiting -
Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Research Foundation
Dallas, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Texas Health Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Inova Fairfax Hospital
Falls Church, Virginia, United States Recruiting -
Centra Medical Group Stroobants Cardiovascular Center
Lynchburg, Virginia, United States Recruiting -
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Newport News, Virginia, United States Recruiting -
Westmead Hospital
Westmead, New South Wales, Australia Recruiting -
Adelaide University
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Recruiting -
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Parkville, Victoria, Australia Recruiting -
Scripps Green Hospital
La Jolla, California, United States Not yet recruiting -
Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
Brussels, Belgium Not yet recruiting -
IKEM - Institut Klinické a Experimentální Medicíny
Prague, Czechia Not yet recruiting -
Motol and Homolka University Hospital
Prague, Czechia Not yet recruiting -
Clinique Pasteur
Toulouse, France Not yet recruiting -
Inselspital - Universitätsspital Bern
Bern, Switzerland Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ryan S Radtke, Bachelors of Science- Biology
- Email: ryan.s.radtke@medtronic.com
- Phone: 712-941-9372
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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.