This is a prospective, adaptive, multi-center, randomized safety and effectiveness pivotal study comparing the FARAPULSE Pulsed Field Ablation System with standard of care ablation with force-sensing RF catheters and cryoballoon catheters indicated for the treatment of PAF.
Contact Force Enabled RF and Cryoballoon ablation catheters indicated for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Eligibility
Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 75 Years
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Key inclusion criteria: Patients are required to meet all the following inclusion criteria to participate in this study:
1. Patients with drug-resistant symptomatic PAF meeting all the following criteria:
a. Paroxysmal: AF that terminates spontaneously or with intervention within 7 days of onset.
b. Frequency: i. Physician documentation of recurrent PAF (two or more episodes) within 6 months, AND
ii. At least one (1) documented episode by a recording such as ECG, EM, Holter monitor or telemetry strip within 12 months of enrollment.
c. Drug failed: Failed AAD treatment, meaning therapeutic failure of at least one (1) AAD (Class I to IV) for efficacy and / or intolerance.
2. Patients who are ≥ 18 and ≤ 75 years of age on the day of enrollment.
3. Patient who are willing and capable of:
1. Providing informed consent to undergo study procedures AND
2. Participating in all examinations and follow-up visits and tests associated with this clinical study.
Key exclusion criteria:
Patients will be excluded from participating in this study if they meet any one of the following exclusion criteria:
* 1\. AF that is any of the following:
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1. Persistent (both early and longstanding) by diagnosis or continuous duration \> 7 days
2. Requires four (4) or more direct-current cardioversions in the preceding 12 months
3. Secondary to electrolyte imbalance, thyroid disease, alcohol or other reversible / non-cardiac causes
2\. Any of the following atrial conditions:
1. Left atrial anteroposterior diameter ≥ 5.5 cm (by MRI, CT or TTE)
2. Any prior atrial endocardial or epicardial ablation procedure, other than right sided cavotricuspid isthmus ablation or for right sided SVT
3. Any prior atrial surgery
4. Intra-atrial septal patch or interatrial shunt
5. Atrial myxoma
6. Current LA thrombus
7. LA appendage closure, device or occlusion, past or anticipated
8. Any PV abnormality, stenosis or stenting (common and middle PVs are admissible)
3\. At any time, one (1) or more of the following cardiovascular procedures, implants or conditions:
a. Sustained ventricular tachycardia or any ventricular fibrillation
b. Hemodynamically significant valvular disease:
i. Valvular disease that is symptomatic
ii. Valvular disease causing or exacerbating congestive heart failure
iii. Aortic stenosis: if already characterized, valve area \< 1.5cm or gradient \> 20 mm Hg
iv. Mitral stenosis: if already characterized, valve area \< 1.5cm or gradient \> 5 mm Hg
v. Aortic or mitral regurgitation associated with abnormal LV function or hemodynamic measurements
c. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
d. Any prosthetic heart valve, ring or repair including balloon aortic valvuloplasty
e. Pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy devices
f. Any inferior vena cava (IVC) filter, known inability to obtain vascular access or other contraindication to femoral access
g. History of rheumatic fever
h. History of congenital heart disease with any residual anatomic or conduction abnormality
4\. Any of the following procedures, implants or conditions:
1. At baseline:
i. New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III/IV
ii. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 40%
iii. Symptomatic hypotension
iv. Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP \> 160 mmHg or DBP \> 95 mmHg on two BP measurements at baseline assessment)
v. Symptomatic resting bradycardia
vi. Implantable loop recorder or insertable cardiac monitor,
b. Within the 3 months preceding the Consent Date:
i. Myocardial infarction
ii. Unstable angina
iii. Percutaneous coronary intervention
iv. Heart failure hospitalization
v. Treatment with amiodarone
vi. Pericarditis or symptomatic pericardial effusion
vii. Gastrointestinal bleeding
c. Within the 6 months preceding the Consent Date:
i. Heart surgery
ii. Stroke, TIA or intracranial bleeding
iii. Any thromboembolic event
iv. Carotid stenting or endarterectomy
5\. Diagnosed disorder of blood clotting or bleeding diathesis
6\. Contraindication to, or unwillingness to use, systemic anticoagulation
7\. Patient who is not on anticoagulation therapy for at least 3 weeks prior to the ablation procedure
8\. Contraindication to both CT and MRI
9\. Sensitivity to contrast media not controllable by premedication
10\. Women of childbearing potential who are pregnant, lactating, not using medical birth control or who are planning to become pregnant during the anticipated study period
11\. Medical conditions that would prevent participation in the study, interfere with assessment or therapy, significantly raise the risk of study participation, or modify outcome data or its interpretation, including but not limited to:
1. Body Mass Index (BMI) \> 40.0
2. Solid organ or hematologic transplant, or currently being evaluated for an organ transplant
3. Severe lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, or any lung disease involving abnormal blood gases or requiring supplemental oxygen
4. Renal insufficiency with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, or any history of renal dialysis or renal transplant
5. Active malignancy or history of treated malignancy within 24 months of enrollment (other than cutaneous basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma)
6. Clinically significant gastrointestinal problems involving the esophagus or stomach including severe or erosive esophagitis, uncontrolled gastric reflux, gastroparesis, esophageal candidiasis or active gastroduodenal ulceration
7. Active systemic infection
8. COVID-19 disease
9. Current confirmed, active COVID-19 disease
ii. Current positive test for SARS-CoV-2
iii. Confirmed COVID-19 disease not clinically resolved at least 3 months prior to the Consent Date.
i. Other uncontrolled medical conditions that may modify device effect or increase risk, including uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HgbA1c \> 8.0% if test result already obtained) or active alcohol abuse
j. Sleep apnea and:
i. An apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 15, or
ii. An AHI of ≥ 5 and ≤14 with documented symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired cognition, mood disorders or insomnia, or documented hypertension, ischemic heart disease or history of stroke, unless compliant with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment.
k. Predicted life expectancy less than one (1) year
12\. Clinically significant psychological condition that in the Investigator's opinion would prohibit the subject's ability to meet the protocol requirements
13\. Current or anticipated enrollment in any other randomized, interventional or Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated clinical study (data collection for registries or retrospective studies is permitted)
14\. Employees / family members of:
1. FARAPULSE or any of its affiliates or contractors
2. The Investigator, sub-Investigators, or their medical office or practice, or healthcare organizations at which study procedures may be performed
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Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Composite Safety Endpoint;Proportion of MITT Subjects With One or More of the Specified Device or Procedure Related SAEs
Proportion of Intent to Treat subjects with one or more of the specified device or procedure related SAEs
Time frame: 7 days and 12 Months
Primary Effectiveness Endpoint
Treatment Success: The primary effectiveness endpoint is Treatment Success in MITT Subjects, defined as:
1. Acute Procedural Success AND
2. Chronic Success, defined as freedom from:
1. At the Index / Rescheduled Index Procedure: Use of a non-randomized treatment modality for PVI
2. After the Blanking Period:
i. Occurrence of any Detectable AF, AFL or AT (excluding CTI-dependent flutter confirmed by EP study)
ii. Any cardioversion for AF, AFL or AT (excluding for CTI-dependent flutter)
iii. Use of any Type I or Type III antiarrhythmic medication for the treatment of AF, AFL or AT
c. At any time:
i. Re-ablation for AF, AFL or AT (other than for CTI-dependent flutter)
ii. Use of amiodarone, except intra-procedurally to control an arrhythmia Endpoint status will be assessed through the Month 12 Assessment (Day 360 ± 30).
Time frame: 12-Months
Secondary Outcomes
Change in PV Cross-sectional Area
Mean change in aggregate PV Cross-Sectional area (cm\^2) from baseline to Day 90
Time frame: 3 months
Primary Effectiveness Treatment Success Tested for Superiority
The secondary effectiveness endpoint is the same as the primary effectiveness endpoint but will be tested for superiority rather than non-inferiority. The proportion of Pulsed Field Subjects with Treatment Success will be assessed for superiority to the proportion of Thermal Subjects with Treatment Success.