VARIPULSE versus FARAWAVE pulsed field catheters for persistent atrial fibrillation

Comparison of Safety and Effectiveness of a VARIPULSE™ PFA Catheter to FARAWAVE™ PFA Catheter in the Treatment of Participants With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This compares the VARIPULSE pulsed field ablation catheter with the FDA-approved FARAWAVE catheter to see which is safer and works better for adults with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 466 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Biosense Webster, Inc. (industry)
• Locations: 1 site (Jonesboro, Arkansas)
• Trial ID: NCT07523750 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults aged 18–80 with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (continuous AF lasting more than 7 days but less than 365 days) will receive pulsed field ablation using either the investigational VARIPULSE catheter or the FDA-approved FARAWAVE catheter. The trial will track procedure outcomes, safety events, and heart-rhythm monitoring over follow-up to measure AF recurrence and complications. Enrollment requires documented continuous AF and the ability to comply with pre-, peri-, and post-procedure testing and visits. The study is sponsored by Biosense Webster and is being conducted at an Arrhythmia Research Group site in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 18–80 with symptomatic persistent AF lasting more than 7 days but less than 365 days, who can give informed consent and complete required follow-up, are eligible candidates.

Not a fit: People with longstanding persistent AF (>365 days), AF caused by electrolyte imbalance or thyroid disease, those outside the 18–80 age range, or those unable to undergo ablation or follow-up are unlikely to receive benefit from this trial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, it could provide an additional PFA catheter option that matches or improves on the safety and effectiveness of current FDA-approved devices for persistent AF.

How similar studies have performed: Other pulsed field ablation devices, including the FDA-cleared FARAWAVE, have shown promising safety and efficacy in prior studies, while VARIPULSE is still investigational.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria:

* Participant has been diagnosed with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF), which is defined as continuous atrial fibrillation (AF) sustained beyond 7 days and less than 365 days in duration documented by: i. A physician's note documenting diagnosis of symptomatic PsAF as defined above and ii. Two electrocardiograms showing continuous AF, with electrocardiogram taken at least 7 days apart (electrocardiograms cannot be greater than \[\>\] 365 days prior to enrollment) or iii. A 24-hour arrhythmia monitor documenting continuous AF within the last 365 days
* Participant is aged 18 - 80 years at the time of informed consent
* Participant is willing and capable of providing informed consent
* Participant is able and willing to comply with all pre-, post- and follow-up testing and requirements

Exclusion criteria:

* Participant has continuous AF \> 365 days (longstanding persistent AF)
* Participant has AF secondary to electrolyte imbalance, thyroid disease, or reversible or non-cardiac cause (for example, untreated documented obstructive sleep apnea, acute alcohol toxicity, etc.)
* Participant has had previous surgical or catheter ablation for AF
* Participant is known to require ablation outside the left atrium (LA), superior vena cava (SVC), and the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) region (for example, atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia, atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia and Wolff-Parkinson-White)
* Participant has severe dilatation of the LA (LAD \> 50 millimeters \[mm\]) of the antero-posterior diameter confirmed by imaging performed within 180 days prior to enrollment
* Participant has LA thrombus confirmed by imaging within 48 hours prior to the procedure
* Participant has severely compromised Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF less than \[\<\] 40%) confirmed by imaging performed within 180 days prior to enrollment
* Participant has uncontrolled heart failure or New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV
* Participant has a history of blood clotting, bleeding abnormalities or contraindication to anticoagulation (for example, heparin)
* Participant has had a thromboembolic event (including TIA) within the past 180 days prior to enrollment
* Participant has had a percutaneous coronary intervention or acute MI within past 60 days prior to enrollment
* Participant has had coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery within the past 180 days prior to enrollment
* Participant has had valvular cardiac surgical/percutaneous procedure (that is, ventriculotomy, atriotomy, valve repair or replacement and presence of a prosthetic valve)
* Participant has unstable angina within past 6 months prior to enrollment
* Participant has anticipated cardiac transplantation, cardiac surgery, or other major surgery within the next 365 days post-procedure
* Participant has significant pulmonary disease (for example, restrictive pulmonary disease, constrictive or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or any other disease or malfunction of the lungs or respiratory system that produces severe chronic symptoms
* Participant has a significant congenital anomaly (for example, atrial septal defects \[ASDs\]) including repaired defects or medical problems that in the opinion of the Investigator would preclude enrollment in this study
* Participant has an existing diagnosis of pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS)
* Participant has a pre-existing hemi-diaphragmatic paralysis
* Participant has an acute illness, active systemic infection, or sepsis
* Participant has an intracardiac thrombus, myxoma, tumor, interatrial baffle or patch or other abnormality that precludes catheter introduction or manipulation
* Participant has severe mitral regurgitation (regurgitant volume greater than or equal to \[\>=\] 60 milliliters \[mL\]/beat, regurgitant fraction \>= 50 percent \[%\], and/or effective regurgitant orifice area \>= 0.40 square centimeter \[cm\^2\])
* Participant has an implanted metal cardiac device (other than coronary stents, implanted pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator \[ICD\], implantable loop recorder \[ILR\]) that may interfere with the pulsed field (PF) energy field
* Participant has a condition that precludes vascular access (such as inferior vena cava \[IVC\] filter)
* Participant is currently enrolled in an investigational study evaluating another device or drug
* Participant is pregnant, lactating, or is of child-bearing potential and plans on trying to become pregnant during the course of the clinical investigation
* Participant has a life expectancy less than 365 days

Where this trial is running

Jonesboro, Arkansas

• Arrhythmia Research Group — Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Jesal Parekh

Conditions: Atrial Fibrillation