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Home › Conditions › Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Part of Atrial Fibrillation

4 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

46 trials tracked for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: 6 in phase 3 or 4 and 2 with published results. The most-cited published study has 212 citations.

46Trials tracked
6Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
2With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 3 Phase 3 3 Phase 2 2 Other / NA 38
  1. Phase 3 HeartLight Ablation in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (PAF) Completed · 212 cited
  2. Phase 4 Evaluation of VISITAG SURPOINT™ Module With External Processing Unit (EPU) Completed · 27 cited
  3. Phase 4 NAVISTAR® THERMOCOOL® Catheter Post Approval Registry Completed
  4. Phase 4 Ablation of the Pulmonary Veins for Paroxysmal Afib Completed
  5. Phase 3 Clinical Study of the CardioFocus Endoscopic Ablation System for the Treatment of Symptomatic AF Completed
  6. Phase 3 A Clinical Study of the Arctic Front Cryoablation Balloon for the Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
Show 40 more trials
  1. Phase 2 REVOLUTION (WFCC-133) - Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  2. Phase 2 Clinical Study of the CardioFocus Endoscopic Ablation System - Adaptive Contact (EAS-AC) for the Treatment of Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  3. N/A Clinical Study for Safety and Acute Performance Evaluation of the THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH® SF-5D System Used With Fast Ablation Mode in Treatment of Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. Completed
  4. N/A AF Septal Pacing (Clinical Investigation Plan) Completed
  5. N/A LSI (Lesion Index) Workflow Observational Study Completed
  6. N/A Cryoballoon PVI With PWI Versus PVI Alone In Patients With PAF Completed
  7. N/A TactiSense IDE Trial of TactiCath SE for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  8. N/A TactiFlex Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation IDE Trial Completed
  9. N/A Randomized Evaluation of Redo Ablation Procedures of Atrial Fibrillation With FIRM Guided Procedures Completed
  10. N/A A Safety and Feasibility Study of the FARAPULSE Endocardial Ablation System to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  11. N/A A Study Assessing Arrhythmia Mapping With the Multi-Electrode OPTRELL™ Mapping Catheter Completed
  12. N/A The FARAPULSE FARA-Freedom Trial Completed
  13. N/A Evaluation of QDOT MICRO™ Catheter for Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Subjects With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  14. N/A PEFCATII Expanded Safety and Feasibility Study of the FARAPULSE Endocardial Multi Ablation System to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  15. N/A TactiCath Contact Force Ablation Catheter Study for Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  16. N/A DiamondTemp™ Ablation System for the Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  17. N/A A Study Assessing Arrhythmia Mapping With a Globe-Shaped, High-Density, Multi-Electrode Mapping Catheter Completed
  18. N/A A RWS of the FARAPULSE in A Chinese Population With PAF Completed
  19. N/A Irrigated Ablation System Evaluation for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Completed
  20. N/A POLARx™ Cardiac Cryoablation System Post Market Clinical Study (POLAR SMART) Completed
  21. N/A Efficacy of Personalized Exercise Program and Trimetazidine in Rehabilitation of Patients After RFA of AF Completed
  22. N/A FIRE AND ICE Re-Ablations (Retrospective Data Collection) Completed
  23. N/A A Single Arm Pilot Study of Pulsed Field Ablation in the Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  24. N/A Effect of Treatment of Sleep Apnea in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  25. N/A Prospective Evaluation of Open Irrigated Ablation Catheters With High Resolution Mapping to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  26. N/A Navi-Star Thermo-Cool Catheter For Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  27. N/A TactiCath® Contact Force Ablation Catheter Study for Atrial Fibrillation Post Approval Study Completed
  28. N/A Clinical Evaluation of the StablePoint Catheter and Force Sensing System for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  29. N/A HD Mapping of Atrial Fibrillation in Asia Pacific Completed
  30. N/A Electrical Coupling Information From The Rhythmia HDx System And DirectSense Technology In Subjects With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  31. N/A Automated Assessment of PVI Using a Novel EP Recording System Completed
  32. N/A IMPACT: A Safety and Feasibility Study of the IOWA Approach Cardiac Ablation System Completed
  33. N/A Boston Scientific's Cryoballoon in the Treatment of Symptomatic Drug Refractory Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  34. N/A Individualized Studies of Triggers of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  35. N/A IMPULSE: A Safety and Feasibility Study of the IOWA Approach Endocardial Ablation System to Treat Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  36. N/A A Feasibility Study to Evaluate the Effect of Concomitant Renal Denervation and Cardiac Ablation on AF Recurrence Completed
  37. N/A The FARAPULSE ADVENT PIVOTAL Trial PFA System vs SOC Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completed
  38. N/A A Study of Intracardiac Ultrasound With the NUVISION NAV Ultrasound Catheter Completed
  39. N/A High-Density (HD) Wave Mapping in Subjects With Atrial Fibrillation as a Predictor of Recurrence After a Single Ablation Procedure Using a PVI-Only Strategy Completed
  40. N/A Multi-electrode Radiofrequency Balloon Catheter Use for the Isolation of the Pulmonary Veins. Completed

Showing the 46 most-cited and recently-updated of 46 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found Updated — new results For clinicians

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: what the trials found

Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) using the FARAPULSE system has demonstrated significant results in treatment success for atrial fibrillation. One study showed a statistically significant difference in primary effectiveness treatment success (p=0.025) 15, while another reported that 121 of 180 patients were free from chronic treatment failure and recurrence of symptomatic arrhythmias at 12 months 16. Safety data for the FARAPULSE system indicated zero procedure-related serious adverse events (SAEs) within 7 days in one cohort 14, with high rates of patients remaining free from device-related SAEs in another 16.

Cryoablation and other ablation techniques show established safety and efficacy profiles. A trial comparing cryoablation to medical management showed significantly higher treatment success (p<0.0001) and freedom from major atrial fibrillation events (p<0.001) 7. Additionally, RF ablation has been shown to improve patient quality of life scores (SF-36) and reduce symptom severity scores at 6 months post-procedure 4.

Clinical trials have established that certain ablation procedures result in high rates of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). For example, one study reported a 98.8% to 100% success rate for PVI at the end of the procedure using specific catheter techniques 2. Furthermore, some studies indicate that atrial fibrillation ablation results in low rates of primary adverse events within seven days (3.2% to 6.4%) 3.

Recent results — preliminary, needs further review

  • Boston Scientific Cardiac Cryoablation System 10
  • Cryoballoon ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation 11
  • Boston Scientific Open Irrigated Ablation Catheters: 368 patients were safety event-free at 12 months, while 218 were effectiveness event-free 1.

For the clinician treating this condition

  • Pulsed Field Ablation (FARAPULSE) is an established intervention with demonstrated superiority in treatment success and high rates of freedom from chronic failure at 12 months.
  • Cryoablation shows significant clinical advantages over medical management regarding both immediate treatment success and long-term freedom from major atrial fibrillation events.
  • Ablation procedures, including RF ablation, are associated with measurable improvements in patient quality of life and reduction in symptom severity.

AI synthesis of 10 cited trials, updated Jun 21, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Nurse-led lifestyle interventions improve quality of life and reduce AF recurrence after ablation
Cardiology RCT
Nurse-led lifestyle interventions improve quality of life and reduce AF recurrence after ablation Nurse-led care reduces AF recurrence and boosts quality of life after ablation
This randomized controlled trial of 160 patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation found that nurse-led …
Patients receiving nurse-led lifestyle support after heart rhythm surgery had fewer AF recurrences and better quality of life than those rec…
May 1, 2026
Cryoballoon ablation reduces PV automaticity retention compared to radiofrequency ablation in PAF
Cardiology RCT
Cryoballoon ablation reduces PV automaticity retention compared to radiofrequency ablation in PAF Ablation times differ but rhythm return looks the same for both methods
This RCT in 100 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation undergoing initial catheter ablation found that cryoballoon ablation (CBA) resu…
Two common heart rhythm procedures show similar success rates for stopping fast beats, even though one takes longer and uses more X-ray time…
May 1, 2026
Intraprocedural atrial tachycardia incidence and 12-month outcomes after RFCA for paroxysmal AF
Cardiology Cohort
Intraprocedural atrial tachycardia incidence and 12-month outcomes after RFCA for paroxysmal AF Patients with atrial tachycardia during ablation have similar long-term rhythm success to others
This single-center prospective cohort study of 255 patients undergoing RFCA for paroxysmal AF found an intraprocedural atrial tachycardia in…
Atrial tachycardia found during heart rhythm procedures does not predict worse long-term outcomes for patients undergoing treatment for paro…
Frontiers Apr 22, 2026
Pulsed field ablation shows similar efficacy to radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal AF
Cardiology RCT
Pulsed field ablation shows similar efficacy to radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal AF Is pulsed field ablation better for AFib? New study finds it matches standard treatment
A multicenter RCT of 289 patients with drug-resistant paroxysmal AF found no significant difference in 12-month single-procedure success bet…
A new heart procedure for AFib works as well as the standard, with 77% of patients free from recurrence after a year and fewer serious event…
Apr 2, 2026

Research across Atrial Fibrillation

Related studies from across the Atrial Fibrillation family.

Higher Triglyceride-glucose index levels are associated with increased risk of Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiology Meta-analysis
Higher Triglyceride-glucose index levels are associated with increased risk of Atrial Fibrillation Higher Triglyceride-Glucose Index Linked to Increased Risk of Atrial Fibrillation
This meta-analysis of 25,376 individuals found significantly higher TyG index levels in patients with Atrial Fibrillation compared to those …
A high triglyceride-glucose index may serve as a potential marker for identifying people at risk for atrial fibrillation and related heart c…
Frontiers Jul 30, 2026
Sarcopenia linked to 2.16-fold higher odds of atrial fibrillation in meta-analysis
Rheumatology Meta-analysis
Sarcopenia linked to 2.16-fold higher odds of atrial fibrillation in meta-analysis Muscle loss linked to higher risk of irregular heartbeats
A meta-analysis of over 3 million patients found sarcopenia associated with significantly higher odds of atrial fibrillation (OR 2.16; 95% C…
A large study involving over 3 million people found that muscle loss, known as sarcopenia, is linked to a higher risk of developing atrial f…
Frontiers Jul 29, 2026
Antazoline May Beat Propafenone and Amiodarone for AF Conversion
Cardiology Meta-analysis
Antazoline May Beat Propafenone and Amiodarone for AF Conversion Antazoline shows better results for atrial fibrillation heart rhythms
A meta-analysis suggests antazoline is more effective than propafenone or amiodarone for converting atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm, wit…
A new review suggests antazoline may be more effective than common medications at restoring normal heart rhythms for patients with atrial fi…
NEJM Jul 26, 2026
Catheter ablation reduces atrial fibrillation recurrence compared to anti-arrhythmic drugs in paroxysmal and persistent cases
Cardiology Meta-analysis
Catheter ablation reduces atrial fibrillation recurrence compared to anti-arrhythmic drugs in paroxysmal and persistent cases Catheter Ablation Shows Lower Recurrence Rates for Atrial Fibrillation
This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials compares catheter ablation to anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD) for manag…
A review of clinical trials suggests catheter ablation may lead to lower heart rhythm recurrence rates compared to anti-arrhythmic drugs.
Jul 22, 2026
Cardiac rehabilitation reduces atrial fibrillation recurrence (RR 0.77) and improves exercise capacity in patients
Cardiology Meta-analysis
Cardiac rehabilitation reduces atrial fibrillation recurrence (RR 0.77) and improves exercise capacity in patients Cardiac Rehabilitation May Reduce Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation
This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials involving 1550 patients found that cardiac rehabilitation significantly reduced overall a…
A review of clinical trials suggests that cardiac rehabilitation can lower the risk of atrial fibrillation returning and improve exercise ca…
Jul 21, 2026
Pulsed field ablation reduces procedure time compared to very high-power short-duration ablation in atrial fibrillation
Cardiology Meta-analysis
Pulsed field ablation reduces procedure time compared to very high-power short-duration ablation in atrial fibrillation Pulsed field ablation speeds up heart surgery for atrial fibrillation
This meta-analysis of 11 observational studies evaluated pulsed field ablation (PFA) against very high-power short-duration ablation (vHPSD)…
A newer technique called pulsed field ablation can significantly shorten procedure times for patients undergoing heart surgery to treat irre…
Frontiers Jul 21, 2026
Rhythm control for postcardiac surgery atrial fibrillation shows higher conversion rates but increased risks
Cardiology Meta-analysis
Rhythm control for postcardiac surgery atrial fibrillation shows higher conversion rates but increased risks Rhythm Control Shows Higher Risks for Post-Surgery Heart Patients
Researchers evaluated the clinical impact of rhythm control versus rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation following cardiac surge…
Aggressive heart rhythm treatments may increase the risk of side effects like low blood pressure in patients following heart surgery.
Frontiers Jul 15, 2026
Inadequate sleep duration is associated with higher risk of atrial flutter recurrence after ablation
Cardiology RCT
Inadequate sleep duration is associated with higher risk of atrial flutter recurrence after ablation Short or long sleep may increase risk of heart rhythm issues
This multicentre randomized controlled trial of 720 patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation found no significant assoc…
Patients with atrial fibrillation who get less than 6 hours or more than 8 hours of sleep face a higher risk of specific heart rhythm recurr…
medRxiv Jul 14, 2026
Left atrial appendage electrical isolation combined with pulmonary vein isolation reduces recurrent atrial arrhythmia
Cardiology Meta-analysis
Left atrial appendage electrical isolation combined with pulmonary vein isolation reduces recurrent atrial arrhythmia Adding Electrical Isolation Reduces Recurrent Arrhythmia in Atrial Fibrillation
This meta-analysis evaluated the addition of left atrial appendage electrical isolation to standard pulmonary vein isolation for patients wi…
A new analysis shows that adding electrical isolation to standard procedures can significantly lower the risk of recurring heart rhythm issu…
Jul 12, 2026
Patients with cardiovascular diseases show measurable prevalence of active cancer across multiple conditions
Cardiology Sys. Review
Patients with cardiovascular diseases show measurable prevalence of active cancer across multiple conditions Heart disease patients show measurable risk of developing various cancers
This systematic review and meta-analysis analyzed 4,759,695 patients to determine the prevalence of active cancer in individuals with variou…
New data shows that people with heart conditions like stroke or heart failure have a measurable rate of active cancer cases.
medRxiv Jul 9, 2026
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor serves as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for atrial fibrillation
Cardiology Sys. Review
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor serves as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for atrial fibrillation Protein levels may predict heart failure and stroke risks
This systematic review synthesizes evidence regarding macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the context of atrial fibrillation and…
A specific protein called MIF is linked to heart damage and can help doctors predict serious complications like stroke or heart failure.
Frontiers Jul 9, 2026
Electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation are safe and effective for arrhythmias in pregnant women
Cardiology Meta-analysis
Electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation are safe and effective for arrhythmias in pregnant women Catheter Ablation and Cardioversion Show Success for Pregnant Women
This narrative review synthesizes evidence regarding electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation for managing arrhythmias during pregnanc…
New data shows that both electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation are effective ways to treat heart rhythm issues in pregnant patients…
Frontiers Jul 7, 2026

Questions about Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Are there differences in success rates between pulsed field and radiofrequency ablation?

Pulsed field ablation (PFA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have similar success rates for paroxysmal AF, but PFA may have a different safety profile.

Full answer →
Can lifestyle interventions improve quality of life after paroxysmal AF ablation?

Yes, nurse-led lifestyle interventions (exercise, diet, medication adherence, psychological support) significantly improve quality of life after paroxysmal AF ablation, based on randomized trial evidence.

Full answer →
Does pulsed field ablation work as well as radiofrequency ablation?

Yes, pulsed field ablation (PFA) works as well as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, with similar success rates and a possibly lower risk of serious complications.

Full answer →
What is the risk of atrial tachycardia during radiofrequency ablation?

About 13% of patients develop atrial tachycardia during radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal AF, usually around the tricuspid or mitral valve; it does not affect 12-month success rates.

Full answer →