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Not yet recruiting NCT07068646

Thickness Map-Guided vs. Empirical PV Isolation Using Pulsed Field Ablation for Paroxysmal AF

No phase Interventional Atrial Fibrillation

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: CT myocardial thickness map guided PV isolation group, Empirical PV isolation group.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Atrial Fibrillation. Basic parameters: 19 years — 80 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
South Korea
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

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Official title

Computed Tomogram Myocardial Thickness Map-Guided Pulmonary Vein Isolation vs. Empirical Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Pulse-Field Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (UTMOST AF III)

Overview

This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing CT-guided versus empirical pulsed field ablation (PFA) for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The study investigates whether atrial wall thickness-based energy titration improves arrhythmia outcomes compared to standard empirical ablation using the PulseSelect™ system.

Detailed description

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using pulsed field ablation (PFA) is an effective and increasingly adopted strategy for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). However, current empirical lesion protocols do not account for patient-specific anatomical variability, particularly atrial wall thickness, which may influence lesion durability. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether a CT-guided ablation strategy-using pre-procedural atrial wall thickness maps to titrate lesion application-can improve rhythm outcomes compared to standard empirical PFA. A total of 298 patients will be enrolled and randomized to either the CT-guided or empirical group, with follow-up over 12 months to assess freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence and procedure-related safety outcomes.

Interventions

  • Procedure CT myocardial thickness map guided PV isolation group
    Pulmonary vein isolation will be performed using the PulseSelect™ pulsed field ablation system. A pre-procedural cardiac CT scan will be used to generate an atrial myocardial thickness map. In this group, atrial segments with wall thickness \>2.5 mm identified on the CT map will receive additional PFA applications (up to 8 per PV) to ensure transmural lesion formation. All other segments will receive the standard minimum of 8 applications per vein. The ablation catheter will remain stationary to
  • Procedure Empirical PV isolation group
    Pulmonary vein isolation will be performed using the PulseSelect™ pulsed field ablation system according to a standardized empirical protocol. Each pulmonary vein will receive a minimum of 8 PFA applications without adjustment based on anatomical or CT-based parameters. Additional applications may be delivered at the operator's discretion based on procedural findings, but no wall thickness mapping will be used.

Primary outcome measures

  • Freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence [Time frame: Within 1 year after 3 months of procedure]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
  • Procedure-related cardiac complication rate [Time frame: 30 days after procedure]

Eligibility criteria

  • Patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who is scheduled for ablation procedure and ≥19 and ≤80 years of age
  • Left atrium size < 50mm
  • paroxysmal atrial fibrillation that is recurrence during antiarrhythmic drug treatment or is not able to use an antiarrhythmic drug.
  • Patient who is indicated for anticoagulation therapy (for prevention of cerebral infarction)

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation
  • Atrial fibrillation associated with severe cardiac malformation or a structural heart disease that is hemodynamically affected
  • Patients with severe renal impairment or CT imaging difficulty using contrast media
  • Patients with a past history of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation or other cardiac surgery
  • Patients with active internal bleeding
  • Patients with contraindications for anticoagulation therapy(for prevention of cerebral infarction) and antiarrhythmic drugs
  • Patients with valvular atrial fibrillation (mitral stenosis >grade 2, mechanical valve, mitral valvuloplasty)
  • Patients with a severe comorbid disease
  • Expected survival < 1 year
  • Drug addicts or alcoholics
  • Patients who cannot read the consent form (illiterates, foreigners, etc.)
  • Other patients who are judged by the principal or sub-investigator to be ineligible for participation in this clinical study

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

South Korea · 1 center
  • Severance Hospital — Seoul

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07068646 · 4-2025-0458

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗