Clinical trial Recruiting at 24 sites Interventional Ages 18 and up

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 typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment400 (estimated)
SponsorMedtronic Cardiac Ablation Solutions
Industry-sponsored
Locations30 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 29 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 8, 2026
Main results expectedMarch 29, 2028
Study endsMarch 29, 2028
Registry record updatedOctober 19, 2026
Trial IDNCT07298473 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

  • 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
  • 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

Similar studies

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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.
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.