Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder, affecting millions of people worldwide. Current treatment includes blood thinners to prevent stroke, medications to control heart rate or rhythm, and procedures like catheter ablation that destroy the tissue causing irregular beats.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing new ablation techniques including pulsed field ablation that avoids damaging nearby structures, longer-acting blood thinners, drugs that target specific ion channels in heart muscle, and device-based approaches to detect AFib earlier. Researchers are also studying ways to predict who will develop AFib and whether earlier treatment prevents progression.
Pulsed field ablation
This newer ablation method uses electrical pulses instead of heat or cold to destroy abnormal tissue. Early studies show it may work faster and cause less damage to the esophagus and nerves near the heart.
Factor XI inhibitors
These blood thinners block a different clotting protein than current drugs. Trials are testing whether they prevent stroke with less bleeding risk, particularly brain bleeding.
Early rhythm control
Studies suggest that treating AFib aggressively within the first year may prevent heart damage and improve long-term outcomes. Trials are testing whether this approach works across different patient groups.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on AFib type (paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent), symptoms, prior treatments including ablation, stroke risk factors, and other heart conditions.
What types of trials are currently open
- Ablation trials — Testing catheter procedures that destroy abnormal heart tissue, comparing different energy sources and techniques to see which works best with fewer complications.
- Blood thinner trials — Testing new anticoagulants or comparing dosing strategies to find the best balance between preventing stroke and avoiding bleeding.
- Rhythm drug trials — Testing medications that restore normal rhythm, often comparing them to rate control or ablation.
- Device trials — Testing implantable monitors or wearables that detect AFib episodes, often studying whether early detection leads to better treatment decisions.
- Lifestyle trials — Testing weight loss, exercise programs, or alcohol reduction to see if they reduce AFib burden or prevent progression.
Recently added Atrial Fibrillation trials
Complete imaging scans to prepare for heart appendage closure
This prospective, open-label, multicenter randomized controlled trial will compare two preprocedural imaging assessment strategies in adults with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who are scheduled to undergo percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). Participants will be randomized 1:1 to a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided strategy or a cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-guided strategy for assessment of left atrial appendage anatomy and selection of the occluder type and size. LAAC and postprocedural management will otherwise follow routine clinical practice. The primary outcome is a composite of serious periprocedural safety events through 30 days. At 3 months (plus or minus 2 weeks), participants who undergo LAAC will receive both TEE and CCTA for blinded core-laboratory assessment of peridevice leak, device-related thrombus, and residual left atrial appendage patency. Clinical follow-up will continue through 12 months.
Receive a catheter procedure to close part of your heart
This study is intended to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the Append System for left atrial appendage (LAA) elimination using a transcatheter procedure that invaginates and ligates the LAA tissue.
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