A Study of Using CARTO SOUND™ FAM to Guide Pulsed Field Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation (CSPFA)

May 14, 2026 updated by: Yan Yao, MD,PhD, China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases

An Exploratory Study on Pulmonary Vein Pulsed Field Ablation Guided by CARTO SOUND™ FAM

This study is being done to see if a new method for treating a heart rhythm problem called paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib) is safe and works well. AFib causes the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) to beat irregularly, which can lead to symptoms like palpitations, shortness of breath, and tiredness. The usual treatment for AFib when medicines do not help is a procedure called catheter ablation. This procedure uses heat or cold to create small scars in the heart to block abnormal electrical signals. This study uses a newer energy source called pulsed field ablation (PFA), which may be safer for the surrounding tissues (like the esophagus and nerves) because it mainly affects heart cells. Another special part of this study is how doctors build a 3D picture of the left atrium - the part of the heart where AFib starts. Instead of the standard method, the investigators will use a technology called CARTO SOUND™ FAM. This combines heart ultrasound (ICE) with a mapping system to quickly create an accurate 3D model of the left atrium without needing a CT scan or extra injections of dye. The main questions are: Can the doctor successfully isolate all four pulmonary veins (the areas where AFib often starts) using only the study devices (CARTO SOUND™ FAM and PFA)? What are the side effects and safety of this new combination within 30 days after the procedure? About 70 adults aged 18 to 80 with paroxysmal AFib will take part. Participants will have one ablation procedure and will be followed for 1 month after the procedure. The study will measure how long the procedure takes, how much X-ray is used, how well the catheter touches the heart tissue, and any serious medical events. This is an early (feasibility) study to gather information for future, larger studies. It is sponsored by Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and will be done in three hospitals in China.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Background and Rationale Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. While pulsed field ablation (PFA) offers a non-thermal, tissue-selective energy source that minimizes collateral damage to adjacent structures (such as the esophagus and phrenic nerve), its efficacy heavily relies on the precise anatomical positioning of the ablation catheter within the complex left atrial (LA) anatomy. Current LA reconstruction methods have limitations: conventional fast anatomical mapping (FAM) requires extensive catheter manipulation, and CT/MRI integration exposes patients to radiation, contrast agents, and additional costs.

The CARTO SOUND™ FAM system addresses these challenges by integrating intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) with a three-dimensional mapping platform. Utilizing an artificial intelligence algorithm, it generates a precise 3D LA model directly from 2D ICE frames acquired from the right atrium and right ventricular outflow tract. This approach aims to reduce LA mapping time while improving the anatomical definition of critical structures, such as the ridge between the left atrial appendage and the pulmonary veins.

Procedural Workflow and Intervention Details This prospective, multicenter study is designed to evaluate the clinical feasibility and acute procedural workflow of combining the CARTO SOUND™ FAM system with PFA. During the procedure, following a transseptal puncture, the CARTO SOUND™ FAM system utilizing an ICE catheter will be deployed to efficiently reconstruct a detailed 3D model of the left atrium and pulmonary veins without crossing the septum with the mapping catheter initially.

Guided by this real-time ultrasound-derived 3D anatomical model, operators will navigate the Varipulse™ PFA catheter to deliver pulsed-field energy for the electrical isolation of target pulmonary veins. The VIZIGO™ steerable sheath may be adjunctive utilized to optimize catheter stability and positioning. Post-ablation, patients will undergo standard clinical management and will be followed for 30 days with continuous monitoring (including 12-lead ECG, 24-hour Holter, and echocardiography) to assess both acute electrophysiological success and short-term procedural safety.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
70

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with an indication for catheter ablation.
  • Willing and able to provide written informed consent.
  • Age between 18 and 80 years (inclusive).
  • Able and willing to comply with all pre-procedure, post-procedure, and follow-up visits and assessments.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Valvular atrial fibrillation, untreated or uncontrolled thyroid disease, acute coronary syndrome, or atrial fibrillation secondary to cardiomyopathy.
  • Any contraindication to catheter ablation (e.g., left atrial thrombus, coagulopathy preventing anticoagulation, severe hepatic/renal dysfunction, psychiatric illness).
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • Malignancy, cachexia, severe ascites, body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m², or severe sleep apnea syndrome.
  • Participation in another clinical study.
  • Any other condition that the investigator considers inappropriate for study participation.
  • Contraindication to any study device as specified in the respective instructions for use (IFU).

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Experimental: PFA Ablation Group
Participants with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation receive pulsed field ablation (PFA) guided by CARTO SOUND™ FAM for pulmonary vein isolation.
Device: CARTO SOUND™ FAM System with Varipulse™ PFA Catheter
Pulsed field ablation is delivered via the Varipulse™ catheter to isolate pulmonary veins, guided by the CARTO SOUND™ FAM system which uses intracardiac echocardiography to reconstruct a 3D model of the left atrium.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Acute Procedural Success Composite Endpoint
Time Frame: Immediately after the ablation procedure
The composite endpoint defined as meeting all of the following criteria: (1) successful construction of left atrial model using the study catheter; (2) electrical isolation of all target pulmonary veins (entry block confirmed, exit block as needed); (3) completion of entire ablation using only study devices, without cross-over to other ablation tools.
Immediately after the ablation procedure

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Incidence of 30-Day Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)
Time Frame: Up to 30 days post-procedure
Number of participants experiencing SAEs related to the CARTO SOUND™ FAM or PFA procedure.
Up to 30 days post-procedure
Total Procedure Time
Time Frame: Intraoperative (Day 0)
Total procedure duration, measured in minutes from femoral vein puncture to sheath removal.
Intraoperative (Day 0)
Mapping Time
Time Frame: During the procedure (Day 0)
The duration required to complete the electroanatomical mapping using CARTO SOUND™ FAM, measured in minutes.
During the procedure (Day 0)
Total Ablation Time
Time Frame: During the procedure (Day 0)
The cumulative duration of pulsed field ablation (PFA) energy delivery, measured in minutes.
During the procedure (Day 0)
Fluoroscopy Time
Time Frame: During the procedure (Day 0)
The duration of fluoroscopy exposure, including both the total fluoroscopy time and the specific fluoroscopy time during the mapping phase, measured in minutes.
During the procedure (Day 0)
Catheter Contact Quality Assessed by ICE
Time Frame: During the procedure (Day 0)
The quality of contact between the ablation catheter and the cardiac tissue, as assessed by Intracardiac Echocardiography (ICE).
During the procedure (Day 0)
Percentage of Positive Tissue Proximity Indicator (TPI) Sites
Time Frame: During the procedure (Day 0)
The percentage of ablation sites showing positive Tissue Proximity Indicator (TPI) signals out of the total number of ablation sites.
During the procedure (Day 0)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University
Central China Fuwai Hospital of Zhengzhou University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 23, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 30, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
May 7, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
May 18, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 14, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2025-3023

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

The study did not obtain informed consent from participants for sharing individual participant data (IPD) with external researchers. Additionally, the data are owned by Fuwai Hospital and are subject to institutional confidentiality policies.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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