Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, affecting over 33 million people worldwide and conferring a fivefold increased risk of stroke. Clinical trials in AF address three core problems: rhythm control (restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm), rate control (controlling heart rate in persistent AF), and stroke prevention (anticoagulation). The EAST-AFNET 4 trial established early rhythm control as superior to a rate-control strategy in reducing cardiovascular events, reshaping international guidelines.
Current trials evaluate non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in underserved populations, pulse field ablation versus radiofrequency ablation (ADVENT trial showed non-inferiority), left atrial appendage occlusion devices (WATCHMAN FLX) versus NOAC therapy in patients with bleeding risk, and novel antiarrhythmic drugs with improved safety profiles. Digital health trials using smartwatch-detected AF episodes are emerging as enrollment and monitoring tools.
CHAβ‚‚DSβ‚‚-VASc score determines anticoagulation eligibility; prior ablation history and type of AF (paroxysmal, persistent, long-standing persistent) determine eligibility for rhythm control trials.
Frequently Asked Questions — persistent atrial fibrillation Clinical Trials
How many clinical trials are currently recruiting for persistent atrial fibrillation?
ClinicalMetric currently tracks 5 actively recruiting clinical trials for persistent atrial fibrillation, sourced in real time from ClinicalTrials.gov. The total number of registered studies—including those not yet enrolling or in active follow-up—is 5. Trial availability changes daily as new studies open enrollment and existing ones reach capacity.
What trial phases are available for persistent atrial fibrillation?
persistent atrial fibrillation research spans multiple clinical trial phases. Phase 1 studies evaluate safety and dosing in small groups, Phase 2 studies assess preliminary efficacy in 100–300 participants, and Phase 3 trials compare the new treatment against the standard of care in 300–3,000+ patients. Phase 4 post-approval studies monitor long-term outcomes in real-world populations.
How do I find out if I qualify for a persistent atrial fibrillation clinical trial?
Eligibility criteria for persistent atrial fibrillation trials vary by study and typically specify age range, disease stage or severity, prior treatment history, and specific diagnostic or laboratory parameters. Each listing on ClinicalMetric links to the full protocol on ClinicalTrials.gov, where inclusion and exclusion criteria are documented. Contact the sponsoring site's research coordinator directly to confirm your eligibility—your treating physician or specialist can also help identify the most appropriate trial based on your medical history and current treatment status.
Top Sponsors
Medtronic Cardiac Ablation Solutions 1 trial
Abbott Medical Devices 1 trial
Vivek Reddy 1 trial
Boston Scientific Corporation 1 trial
Kitasato University 1 trial
Recruiting Clinical Trials
ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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Last Reviewed: April 2026 ·
Data Methodology