Sphere VT: Using Sphere-9 Catheter and Affera System to treat recurrent scar-related ventricular tachycardia

Is this trial a fit for you?

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, single-arm study examining the safety and effectiveness of the Sphere-9 catheter with the Affera mapping and ablation system for treating recurrent sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia due to prior myocardial infarction. Eligible participants are adults with a history of MI, a recent episode of sustained MMVT despite antiarrhythmic drugs or ICD therapy, and an implanted ICD or CRT-D. The trial uses an unblinded design to perform catheter ablation and will follow participants with predefined testing and follow-up. Primary aims focus on procedural safety and acute ablation success, with secondary observations on VT burden and arrhythmia-related outcomes.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Prior myocardial infarction (MI).
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 2 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. Idiopathic VT or VT of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.
4. VT secondary to electrolyte imbalance, active thyroid disease, or any other reversible or non-cardiac cause (e.g., drug-induced arrhythmia).
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 performed in a setting of unstable angina or acute MI (STEMI or non-STEMI) within 2 months (60 days) prior to the ablation procedure. Note: elective PCI performed during elective angiogram would be excluded only if occurring within 30 days prior to the ablation procedure.
13. Any cardiac surgery within 2 months (60 days) prior to the ablation procedure. Note: ICD lead implant/replacement falls under this exclusion, but ICD generator-only replacement does not.
14. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \<15%.
15. NYHA Class IV heart failure.
16. Decompensated heart failure.
17. Extravascular ICD (EV-ICD) or subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD)
18. Currently receiving support, or anticipated to receive support prior to the index ablation procedure, via extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
19. Circulatory/ventricular assist device (VAD; surgical or percutaneous) implanted, planned or required for the procedure.
20. Severe aortic or mitral stenosis, or severe aortic or mitral regurgitation.
21. Presence of prosthetic valve in the aortic or mitral valve.
22. Patients with advanced COPD (on home oxygen).
23. Presence of intracardiac tumor or other abnormality that precludes vascular access, catheter introduction, or manipulation.
24. Thromboembolic event (stroke or transient ischemic attack) within 6 months (180 days) prior to the index ablation procedure or with neurologic deficit.
25. Left atrium (LA) or left ventricle (LV) intracardiac thrombus on imaging.
26. Severe bleeding, clotting or thrombotic disorder, or thrombocytopenia (defined as platelet count \<80,000).
27. Contraindication to anticoagulation.
28. End-stage renal disease (requiring dialysis).
29. Acute illness, active infection, or sepsis.
30. Life expectancy less than 12 months.
31. 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.
32. Body mass index \>45 kg/m2.
33. Known ongoing drug or alcohol dependency.
34. 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.
35. Vulnerable subjects (such as a prisoner, handicapped or mentally disabled person, or person under tutelage or guardianship).
36. 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

• Ascension Saint Vincent Hospital - Indianapolis
  Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Recruiting
• Northwell Health Lenox Hill Hospital
  Manhasset, New York, United States Recruiting
• Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
  Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States Recruiting
• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  Columbus, Ohio, United States Recruiting
• Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Research Foundation
  Austin, Texas, United States Recruiting
• South Denver Cardiology Associates
  Littleton, Colorado, United States Active not 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

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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.