Atrial FibrillationSPAA PFANCT07527299
A Study of VARIPULSE Catheter in Participants With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Pulmonary Vein and Superior Vena Cava Isolation
A study testing VARIPULSE Catheter System and LAAO Device in people with Atrial Fibrillation, run by Biosense Webster, Inc. at 13 sites in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to assess how safe VARIPULSE catheter system is for treatment of a heart rhythm disease called persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF) in participants who are having a catheter ablation procedure (treat heart rhythm disease). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Atrial Fibrillation
- What is being tested?
- VARIPULSE Catheter System and LAAO Device
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 1,070 participants
- Where
- 13 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 26 Aug 2026to 24 Aug 2031
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Participant has been diagnosed with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF), which is defined as continuous atrial fibrillation (AF) sustained beyond 7 days in duration 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 (ECGs) 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 requirement
- Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) concomitant subset:
- Participant is clinically indicated for a LAAO procedure
Who cannot join
- 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 LA (left atrial) anteroposterior >= 55 millimeter (mm) (by magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], computed tomography [CT], or transthoracic echocardiogram [TTE]), or if LA diameter is not available, non-index volume >100 milliliter (mL) confirmed within 365 days prior to enrollment
- Participant has LA thrombus confirmed by imaging within 48 hours prior to the procedure
Show all 31Show fewer
- Participant has severely compromised left ventricular ejection fraction (left ventricle ejection fraction [LVEF] less than [<] 40 percent [%]) 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 functional classification
- Participant has a history of blood clotting, bleeding abnormalities or contraindication to anticoagulation (for example, heparin)
- Participant has had a thromboembolic event (including transient ischemic attack [TIA]) within the past 180 days prior to enrollment
- Participant has had a percutaneous coronary intervention or acute myocardial infarction (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%, and/or Effective regurgitant orifice area >= 0.40 square centimeter [cm^2])
- Participants with an implanted metal cardiac device that may interfere with the pulsed field energy field are excluded, including but not limited to: -MitraClip, -LAAO devices (for example, WATCHMAN, Amulet), -Double-coiled implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). This exclusion does not apply to participants with any of the following devices: -Coronary stents, -Implanted pacemakers, -Single-coiled ICDs, -Implantable loop recorders (ILRs)
- 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 of less than 365 days
- Participant has contraindications for the devices used in the study, as indicated in the respective instructions for use (IFUs)
- Participant has contraindications for the ablation of the SVC
- LAAO concomitant subset:
- Participant is contraindicated for a LAAO procedure per the instructions of use of the planned LAAO device
- Participant with prior LAAO procedure (attempted or successful)
Trial locations and contacts
13 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
13 sites in 1 country
United States13 sites, 13 recruiting
- Recruiting
JFK Medical Center
Atlantis, Florida, 33462
- Recruiting
Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates
Aurora, Colorado, 80012
- Recruiting
Grandview Medical Center
Birmingham, Alabama, 35243
- Recruiting
Saint Elizabeth Medical Center
Edgewood, Kentucky, 41017
- Recruiting
Hartford Hospital
Hartford, Connecticut, 06102
- Recruiting
Mercy Hospital
Janesville, Wisconsin, 53548
- Recruiting
Arrhythmia Research Group
Jonesboro, Arkansas, 72401
- Recruiting
Oklahoma Heart Hospital
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73120
- Recruiting
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104
- Recruiting
Pacific Heart Institute Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Santa Monica, California, 90404
- Recruiting
Albert Einstein College Of Medicine - Montefiore Medical Center
The Bronx, New York, 10467
- Recruiting
Munson Medical Center
Traverse City, Michigan, 49684
- Recruiting
Pima Heart and Vascular
Tucson, Arizona, 85741
About this study
Official title: Assessment of the Safety and Effectiveness of the VARIPULSE™ Catheter System in the Treatment of Participants With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Pulmonary Vein (With or Without Posterior Wall Isolation) and Superior Vena Cava Isolation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The purpose of this study is to assess how safe VARIPULSE catheter system is for treatment of a heart rhythm disease called persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF) in participants who are having a catheter ablation procedure (treat heart rhythm disease). This includes isolation of pulmonary vein and superior vena cava (heart veins; pulmonary vein isolation [PVI] and superior vena cava isolation [SVCI]), with or without another technique called posterior wall isolation (PWI). Also, to assess how safe it is for participants who are having a catheter ablation procedure and at the same time receiving another procedure called left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO; to reduce stroke risk). Additionally, to assess how well VARIPULSE catheter system works over a long period of time for treatment of PsAF in participants undergoing catheter ablation for PVI, SVCI and SVCI+PWI.
- Conditions
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Being tested
- VARIPULSE Catheter System, LAAO Device
- Medical subject headings
- Atrial Fibrillation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
VARIPULSE Catheter SystemDevice
Pulsed field ablation by VARIPULSE Catheter System (VARIPULSE bi-directional catheter and TRUPULSE generator) will be used.
LAAO DeviceDevice
LAAO procedures will be performed using commercially available LAAO devices in accordance with the device's instruction for use (IFU).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| VARIPULSE Catheter System: PVI and SVCI | Experimental | Participants with persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF) undergoing catheter ablation for the first-time with the VARIPULSE Catheter System will undergo the ablation procedure for PVI and SVCI.
Additionally, a subset of participants will undergo a concomitant left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedure. All participants will be followed for up to 36 months post procedure. Receives: Device: VARIPULSE Catheter System; Device: LAAO Device |
| VARIPULSE Catheter System: PVI and SVCI + PWI | Experimental | Participants with PsAF undergoing catheter ablation for the first-time with VARIPULSE catheter system will undergo the ablation procedure for PVI and SVCI along with posterior wall isolation (PWI). Additionally, a subset of participants will undergo a concomitant LAAO procedure. All participants will be followed for up to 36 months post procedure. Receives: Device: VARIPULSE Catheter System; Device: LAAO Device |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of Participants with Early Onset Primary Adverse Events (PAEs)
PAEs include early onset AEs such as esophageal perforating complications, phrenic nerve paralysis (PNP; permanent), cardiac tamponade/perforation, pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS), death (device or procedure related), stroke/ cerebrovascular accident (CVA), major vascular access, complication/bleeding, thromboembolism, myocardial Infarction (MI), transient ischemic attack (TIA), pericarditis, pulmonary edema (respiratory insufficiency), heart block, and vagal nerve injury/ gastroparesis.
Measured: Up to approximately 7 days post-procedure
Freedom from Documented (Symptomatic and Asymptomatic) Atrial Tachyarrhythmia Episodes
Number of participants reporting freedom from documented (symptomatic and asymptomatic) atrial tachyarrhythmia (that is, atrial fibrillation or atrial tachycardia or atrial flutter [AF, AT or AFL] of unknown origin) episodes based on electrocardiographic data and freedom from acute procedural failure, repeat ablation failure, surgical treatment for AF/AT/AFL, non-study catheter (NSC) failure, antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) failure and any direct current (DC) cardioversion procedure.
Measured: Day 61 up to Day 180
Secondary outcomes (2)
Freedom from Documented (Symptomatic and Asymptomatic) Atrial Tachyarrhythmia Episodes
Number of participants reporting freedom from documented (symptomatic and asymptomatic) atrial tachyarrhythmia (that is, AF, AT or AFL of unknown origin) episodes based on electrocardiographic and freedom from acute procedural failure, repeat ablation failure, surgical treatment for AF/AT/AFL, NSC failure, AAD failure and any DC cardioversion (DCCV) procedure.
Measured: Day 61 up to Day 365
Change From Baseline in Quality of life, As Measured by the Total Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) Score
The AFEQT uses a questionnaire to evaluate symptoms, daily activities and treatment concerns participants have related to atrial fibrillation. An overall AFEQT score ranges from 0 to 100. A score of 0 corresponds to complete disability (or responding "extremely" difficult to all questions answered), while a score of 100 corresponds to no disability (or responding "not at all" limited, difficult or bothersome to all questions answered). A positive change in score corresponds to improvement in AF symptoms.
Measured: Baseline, at 12 months post-procedure
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Apr 2026
- Study start26 Aug 2026
- Primary completion30 Nov 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion24 Aug 2031 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Atrial FibrillationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Biosense Webster, Inc.The sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 1,070 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Biosense Webster, Inc.
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Biosense Webster, Inc. Clinical Trial, Study director, Biosense Webster, Inc.
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07527299
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BWI202517
- Acronym
- SPAA PFA
- Status last verified
- Nov 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: The data sharing policy of Johnson \& Johnson MedTech is available at innovativemedicine.jnj.com/our-innovation/clinical-trials/transparency. As noted on this site, requests for access to the study data can be submitted through Yale Open Data Access (YODA) Project site at yoda.yale.edu
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Assessment of the Safety and Effectiveness of the VARIPULSE™ Catheter System in the Treatment of Participants With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Pulmonary Vein (With or Without Posterior Wall Isolation) and Superior Vena Cava Isolation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07527299
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SPAA PFA / BWI202517
- Conditions
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 1,070 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Biosense Webster, Inc.Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 26 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Nov 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 24 Aug 2031 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to assess how safe VARIPULSE catheter system is for treatment of a heart rhythm disease called persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF) in participants who are having a catheter ablation procedure (treat heart rhythm disease). This includes isolation of pulmonary vein and superior vena cava (heart veins; pulmonary vein isolation [PVI] and superior vena cava isolation [SVCI]), with or without another technique called posterior wall isolation (PWI). Also, to assess how safe it is for participants who are having a catheter ablation procedure and at the same time receiving another procedure called left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO; to reduce stroke risk). Additionally, to assess how well VARIPULSE catheter system works over a long period of time for treatment of PsAF in participants undergoing catheter ablation for PVI, SVCI and SVCI+PWI.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| VARIPULSE Catheter System: PVI and SVCI | Experimental | Device: VARIPULSE Catheter System, Device: LAAO DeviceParticipants with persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF) undergoing catheter ablation for the first-time with the VARIPULSE Catheter System will undergo the ablation procedure for PVI and SVCI. Additionally, a subset of participants will undergo a concomitant left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedure. All participants will be followed for up to 36 months post procedure. |
| VARIPULSE Catheter System: PVI and SVCI + PWI | Experimental | Device: VARIPULSE Catheter System, Device: LAAO DeviceParticipants with PsAF undergoing catheter ablation for the first-time with VARIPULSE catheter system will undergo the ablation procedure for PVI and SVCI along with posterior wall isolation (PWI). Additionally, a subset of participants will undergo a concomitant LAAO procedure. All participants will be followed for up to 36 months post procedure. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Participant has been diagnosed with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF), which is defined as continuous atrial fibrillation (AF) sustained beyond 7 days in duration 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 (ECGs) 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 requirement
- Participant is clinically indicated for a LAAO procedure
Key exclusion criteria (31 listed)
- 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 LA (left atrial) anteroposterior >= 55 millimeter (mm) (by magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], computed tomography [CT], or transthoracic echocardiogram [TTE]), or if LA diameter is not available, non-index volume >100 milliliter (mL) confirmed within 365 days prior to enrollment
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| VARIPULSE Catheter SystemPulsed field ablation by VARIPULSE Catheter System (VARIPULSE bi-directional catheter and TRUPULSE generator) will be used. | Device | VARIPULSE Catheter System: PVI and SVCI, VARIPULSE Catheter System: PVI and SVCI + PWI |
| LAAO DeviceLAAO procedures will be performed using commercially available LAAO devices in accordance with the device's instruction for use (IFU). | Device | VARIPULSE Catheter System: PVI and SVCI, VARIPULSE Catheter System: PVI and SVCI + PWI |
Primary outcome
Number of Participants with Early Onset Primary Adverse Events (PAEs)
Time frame: Up to approximately 7 days post-procedure
PAEs include early onset AEs such as esophageal perforating complications, phrenic nerve paralysis (PNP; permanent), cardiac tamponade/perforation, pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS), death (device or procedure related), stroke/ cerebrovascular accident (CVA), major vascular access, complication/bleeding, thromboembolism, myocardial Infarction (MI), transient ischemic attack (TIA), pericarditis, pulmonary edema (respiratory insufficiency), heart block, and vagal nerve injury/ gastroparesis.
Freedom from Documented (Symptomatic and Asymptomatic) Atrial Tachyarrhythmia Episodes
Time frame: Day 61 up to Day 180
Number of participants reporting freedom from documented (symptomatic and asymptomatic) atrial tachyarrhythmia (that is, atrial fibrillation or atrial tachycardia or atrial flutter [AF, AT or AFL] of unknown origin) episodes based on electrocardiographic data and freedom from acute procedural failure, repeat ablation failure, surgical treatment for AF/AT/AFL, non-study catheter (NSC) failure, antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) failure and any direct current (DC) cardioversion procedure.
2 secondary outcomes
Freedom from Documented (Symptomatic and Asymptomatic) Atrial Tachyarrhythmia Episodes
Time frame: Day 61 up to Day 365
Change From Baseline in Quality of life, As Measured by the Total Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) Score
Time frame: Baseline, at 12 months post-procedure
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Nov 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. The data sharing policy of Johnson \& Johnson MedTech is available at innovativemedicine.jnj.com/our-innovation/clinical-trials/transparency. As noted on this site, requests for access to the study data can be submitted through Yale Open Data Access (YODA) Project site at yoda.yale.edu
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Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Biosense Webster, Inc. Clinical Trial study director
Biosense Webster, Inc.
13 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing VARIPULSE Catheter System and LAAO Device in people with Atrial Fibrillation, run by Biosense Webster, Inc. at 13 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 31 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 13 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Narvelle Delabruere (949-933-1710, NDelabru@its.jnj.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Number of Participants with Early Onset Primary Adverse Events (PAEs) (time frame: Up to approximately 7 days post-procedure). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Nov 2026.