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Atrial FibrillationSPHERE Per-AFNCT05120193

Treatment of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation With Sphere-9 Catheter and Affera Mapping and Ablation System

A study testing Mapping and Ablation in people with Atrial Fibrillation, run by Medtronic Cardiac Ablation Solutions at 23 sites in 3 countries.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical evaluation of the Sphere-9 Mapping and Ablation Catheter with the Affera Mapping and Ablation System. Subjects will be randomly assigned 1:1 to receive treatment with either the Sphere-9 Mapping and Ablation Catheter and the Affera Mapping and Ablation System… 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?
Mapping and Ablation
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
477 participants
Where
23 sitesin 3 countries
Study dates
14 Dec 2021to 10 Jan 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

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

  • Symptomatic PerAF documented by (1) a physician's note indicating symptoms consistent with AF sustained longer than 7 days but less than 12 months; AND either (2a) a 24-hour Holter documenting continuous AF within the past year OR (2b) two electrocardiograms (from any form of rhythm monitoring, including consumer devices) taken at least 7 days apart within the past year, each showing continuous AF.
  • Failure or intolerance of at least one Class I or III anti-arrhythmic drug (AAD).
  • Suitable candidate for catheter ablation.
  • Adults aged 18 - 80 years.
  • Willing and able to comply with all baseline and follow-up evaluations for the full length of the study.
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent.

Who cannot join

  • Continuous AF lasting for 12 months or longer.
  • AF secondary to electrolyte imbalance, thyroid disease, acute alcohol intoxication, or other reversible or non-cardiac cause.
  • Previous left atrial ablation or surgical procedure (including septal closure or left atrial appendage closure).
  • Valvular cardiac surgical/percutaneous procedure (e.g., ventriculotomy, atriotomy, and valve repair or replacement and presence of a prosthetic valve).
  • Any carotid stenting or endarterectomy.
  • Any cardiac procedure (surgical or percutaneous) or percutaneous coronary intervention within the 90 days prior to the initial procedure.
Show all 37Show fewer
  • Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure within the 6 months prior to the initial procedure.
  • Awaiting cardiac transplantation or other cardiac surgery within the 12 months following the initial ablation procedure.
  • Presence of a permanent pacemaker, biventricular pacemaker, or any type of implantable cardiac defibrillator (with or without biventricular pacing function).
  • Documented thromboembolic event (stroke or transient ischemic attack) within 6 months (180 days) prior to the initial ablation procedure.
  • Documented left atrial thrombus on imaging.
  • History of blood clotting or bleeding abnormalities.
  • Any condition contraindicating chronic anticoagulation.
  • Myocardial infarction (MI) within the 3 months (90 days) prior to the initial procedure.
  • Body mass index >40 kg/m2.
  • Left atrial diameter >55 mm (anterioposterior).
  • Diagnosed atrial myxoma.
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) < 35%.
  • Uncontrolled heart failure or NYHA Class III or IV heart failure.
  • Rheumatic heart disease.
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
  • Unstable angina.
  • Moderate to severe mitral valve stenosis.
  • Severe mitral regurgitation (regurgitant volume ≥ 60 mL/beat, regurgitant fraction ≥ 50%, and/or effective regurgitant orifice area ≥ 0.40cm2).
  • Primary pulmonary hypertension.
  • Significant restrictive or obstructive pulmonary disease or chronic respiratory condition.
  • Renal failure requiring dialysis.
  • History of severe Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) requiring surgical and/or mechanical intervention.
  • Acute illness, active systemic infection, or sepsis.
  • Contraindication to both computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography.
  • Significant congenital anomaly or medical problem that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude enrollment in this study or compliance with follow-up requirements or would impact the scientific soundness of the clinical study results.
  • Any woman known to be pregnant or breastfeeding, or any woman of childbearing potential who is not on a reliable form of birth regulation method or abstinence.
  • Current or anticipated participation in any other clinical study of a drug, device, or biologic during the duration of the study not pre-approved by the Sponsor.
  • Presence of intramural thrombus, tumor, or other abnormality that precludes vascular access, catheter introduction, or manipulation.
  • Known drug or alcohol dependency.
  • Life expectancy less than 12 months.
  • Vulnerable subject (such as a prisoner or handicapped or mentally disabled person).

Trial locations and contacts

23 sites in 3 countries.

23 sites in 3 countries

United States19 sites
  • Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Research Foundation

    Austin, Texas, 78705

  • Arrhythmia Institute at Grandview

    Birmingham, Alabama, 35243

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114

  • Maimonides Medical Center

    Brooklyn, New York, 11219

  • Cleveland Clinic Foundation

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44195

  • The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

    Columbus, Ohio, 43210

  • The OhioHealth Research Institute

    Columbus, Ohio, 43214

  • Doylestown Hospital

    Doylestown, Pennsylvania, 18901

  • Arrhythmia Research Group

    Jonesboro, Arkansas, 72401

  • Naples Heart Institute

    Naples, Florida, 34102

  • Vanderbilt Medical Center

    Nashville, Tennessee, 37232

  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

    New York, New York, 10029

  • Northwell Health

    New York, New York, 10075

  • Sentara Norfolk General Hospital

    Norfolk, Virginia, 23507

  • AdventHealth Orlando

    Orlando, Florida, 32803

  • Banner University Medical Center Phoenix

    Phoenix, Arizona, 85006

  • Pacific Heart Institute

    Santa Monica, California, 90404

  • MedStar Washington Hospital Center

    Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20010

  • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Pinnacle Health

    Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania, 17043

Other trials in United States

Czechia3 sites
  • Nemocnice Ceske Budejovice

    České Budějovice, 370 01

  • Institut Klinicke a Experimentani Mediciny

    Prague, 140 21

  • Nemocnice Na Homolce

    Prague, 150 30

Other trials in Czechia

Israel1 site
  • Shamir Medical Center

    Zrifin, 6093000

Other trials in Israel

About this study

Official title: Treatment of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation With the Sphere-9 Mapping and Ablation Catheter and the Affera Mapping and Ablation System

This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical evaluation of the Sphere-9 Mapping and Ablation Catheter with the Affera Mapping and Ablation System. Subjects will be randomly assigned 1:1 to receive treatment with either the Sphere-9 Mapping and Ablation Catheter and the Affera Mapping and Ablation System (investigational device) or the THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH® SF radiofrequency ablation catheter (control device).

Being tested
Mapping and Ablation
Medical subject headings
Atrial Fibrillation

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Mapping and AblationDevice

    Minimally invasive catheter mapping and ablation procedure

Study groups in NCT05120193
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Sphere-9 CatheterExperimentalSphere-9™ Mapping and Ablation Catheter; Affera Mapping System; Affera Ablation System
Receives: Device: Mapping and Ablation
THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SFActive comparatorTHERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH® SF Catheter; SMARTABLATE® System; CARTO® 3 System
Receives: Device: Mapping and Ablation

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Percent of Subjects With a Primary Adverse Event

    The primary safety endpoint is the incidence of the following device- or procedure-related serious adverse events (SAEs) following the index ablation procedure:

    Within 7 days:

    • Death
    • Myocardial infarction
    • Phrenic nerve paralysis
    • Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
    • Stroke/cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
    • Thromboembolism
    • Major vascular access complications / bleeding
    • Heart block
    • Gastroparesis
    • Severe pericarditis
    • Hospitalization due to cardiovascular or pulmonary AE

    Within 30 days:

    • Cardiac tamponade / perforation

    Within 90 days:

    • Atrio-esophageal fistula

    Within 180 days:

    • Pulmonary vein stenosis

    Measured: 180 Days

  2. Percent of Subjects Free From Primary Effectiveness Failure

    The primary effectiveness endpoint is freedom from documented recurrence of AF, atrial tachycardia (AT), or atrial flutter (AFL) based on electrocardiographic data through 12-month follow-up and excluding a 90-day blanking period. The following are considered primary effectiveness endpoint failures:

    • Inability to isolate all targeted pulmonary veins during the index procedure.
    • Ablation using devices other than the assigned study device for any left atrial ablation during the index procedure.
    • Any repeat ablation, surgical ablation, or arrhythmia surgery for treatment of recurrent AF/AT/AFL after the index procedure.
    • Documented AF/AT/AFL recurrence after the 90-day blanking period.
    • Class I or III AAD dose increase from the historic maximum ineffective dose (prior to the index procedure) or initiation of a new Class I or III AAD for treatment of AF/AT/AFL after the 90-day blanking period.
    • DC cardioversion for AF/AT/AFL after the 90-day blanking period.

    Measured: 12 months

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Energy Application Time

    Total energy application time during the index ablation procedure

    Measured: Day 0

  2. Treatment Time

    Time from start to end of energy delivery

    Measured: Day 0

  3. Procedure Time

    Time from start to end of venous access

    Measured: Day 0

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted15 Nov 2021
  2. Study start14 Dec 2021
  3. Primary completion10 Jan 2024
  4. Study completion10 Jan 2024

Resources

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
Participant
Enrolment
477 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05120193
Sponsor's protocol ID
CP-00009
Acronym
SPHERE Per-AF
Status last verified
Apr 2025
First submitted
25 Oct 2021
Last updated
23 Apr 2025
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Mansour M, Sharma D, Kiehl EL, Nair DG, Neuzil P, Kautzner J, Osorio J, Natale A, Mountantonakis SE, Hummel JD, Amin AK, Doshi SK, Siddiqui UR, Cerkvenik J, van Bragt KA, Tarakji KG, Anter E, Reddy VY, Taigen TL; SPHERE Per-AF investigators. Impact of linear ablation in persistent atrial fibrillation using a dual-energy, wide-footprint catheter: Analysis from the SPHERE Per-AF randomized trial. Heart Rhythm. 2026 Jul;23(7):e1051-e1059. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2026.01.037. Epub 2026 Feb 6.

    PubMed 41655663
  • Matsumoto K, van Bragt KA, Kueffer FJ, Mburu W, Tarakji KG. Indirect treatment comparison of two pulsed field ablation systems for the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2026 Apr;69(3):355-363. doi: 10.1007/s10840-025-02124-6. Epub 2025 Sep 10.

    PubMed 40928625
  • Kiehl EL, Mountantonakis SE, Mansour MC, Nair DG, Sharma D, Taigen TL, Neuzil P, Kautzner J, Osorio J, Natale A, Hummel JD, Amin AK, Siddiqui UR, Bulava A, Doshi SK, Patel CP, Greenberg YJ, Tung RH, Harlev D, Hultz P, Rosen S, van Bragt KA, Tarakji KG, Reddy VY, Anter E; SPHERE Per-AF Investigators. Operator learning curve with a novel dual-energy lattice-tip ablation system. Heart Rhythm. 2026 Jan;23(1):89-96. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2025.02.006. Epub 2025 Feb 6.

    PubMed 39922404
  • Anter E, Mansour M, Nair DG, Sharma D, Taigen TL, Neuzil P, Kiehl EL, Kautzner J, Osorio J, Mountantonakis S, Natale A, Hummel JD, Amin AK, Siddiqui UR, Harlev D, Hultz P, Liu S, Onal B, Tarakji KG, Reddy VY; SPHERE PER-AF Investigators. Dual-energy lattice-tip ablation system for persistent atrial fibrillation: a randomized trial. Nat Med. 2024 Aug;30(8):2303-2310. doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-03022-6. Epub 2024 May 17.

    PubMed 38760584

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Mapping and Ablation in people with Atrial Fibrillation, run by Medtronic Cardiac Ablation Solutions at 23 sites in 3 countries.

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 37 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 23 sites in United States, Czechia, Israel. 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?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 3 Feb 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Percent of Subjects With a Primary Adverse Event (time frame: 180 Days). 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?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05120193, which also lists 4 linked publications.

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 23 Apr 2025.

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SPHERE Per-AF Clinical Trial NCT05120193 | AzTrials