RecruitingNot Applicable

Hybrid Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure

United Kingdom120 participantsStarted 2022-06-25

Plain-language summary

A randomised controlled trial to assess the efficacy of staged hybrid ablation when compared with standard catheter ablation in patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and Heart Failure

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years * Persistent or Long-standing Persistent AF * Dilated left atrium (at least moderately dilated) * Suitable for either procedure * LVEF \< 50% Exclusion Criteria: * Not yet optimised from a medical or lifestyle perspective for AF or heart failure * Unable to provide written consent * Previous open-heart surgery * Active infection, oesophageal ulcer stricture or oesophageal varices * Prior catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (prior ablation for atrial flutter / supraventricular tachycardia or ventricular arrhythmia acceptable) * Contraindication to anticoagulation, or active thrombus in the left atrium despite therapeutic anticoagulation * Severe valvular heart disease * Unstable coronary artery disease * Uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmia * Heart attack or stroke within the last 90 days * Pregnant, breastfeeding, or women of childbearing age who plan to get pregnant within six months * Severe concomitant condition or presence of an implanted device that would preclude the patient from undergoing trial procedures

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Freedom from persistent atrial arrhythmia after a single procedure (either the completed hybrid ablation or catheter ablation) off Class I or III medications

Timeframe: Measured from the end of a 3-month blanking period at 12 and 24 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05411614

SponsorSt. George's Hospital, London

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-05

Contact for this trial

Riyaz A Kaba

020 8725 4571 rkaba@sgul.ac.uk

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Persistent Atrial Fibrillation trials

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.