STOP Persistent AF

STOP Persistent AF

To demonstrate safety and effectiveness of the Arctic Front Advance™ and Freezor MAX® Cardiac CryoAblation Catheters for the treatment of drug refractory recurrent symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Documentation of symptomatic persistent AF: Defined as having a continuous episode lasting longer than 7 days but less than 6 months documented by consecutive ECG recordings OR Defined as having a continuous episode lasting longer than 7 days but less than 6 months documented by an ECG recording and one doctor note indicating patient had symptoms consistent with AF
• Failure or intolerance of at least one Class I or III antiarrhythmic drug
• Age 18 or older (or older than 18 if required by local law)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Left atrial diameter > 5.0 cm (anteroposterior)
• Prior left atrial ablation or surgical procedure (including left atrial appendage closures)
• Presence or likely implant of a permanent pacemaker, biventricular pacemaker, loop recorder, or any type of implantable cardiac defibrillator (with or without biventricular pacing function) within 12 months
• Presence of any pulmonary vein stents
• Presence of any pre-existing pulmonary vein stenosis
• Pre-existing hemidiaphragmatic paralysis
• Presence of any cardiac valve prosthesis
• +3 and +4 mitral valve regurgitation or stenosis
• Any cardiac surgery, myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) / percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery stenting which occurred during the 3 month interval preceding the consent date
• Unstable angina
• New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV congestive heart failure and/or documented left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than or equal to 35% measure by acceptable cardiac testing (e.g. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE))
• Primary pulmonary hypertension
• Rheumatic heart disease
• Thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia
• Any condition contraindicating chronic anticoagulation
• Active systemic infection
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Cryoglobulinemia
• Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism
• Any cerebral ischemic event (strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)) which occurred during the 6 month interval preceding the consent date
• Any woman known to be pregnant or breastfeeding, or any woman of child bearing potential who is not on a reliable form of birth regulation method or abstinence
• Life expectancy less than one year
• Current or anticipated participation in any other clinical trial of a drug, device or biologic during the duration of the study not pre-approved by Medtronic
• Known allergies or hypersensitivities to adhesives
• Known drug or alcohol dependency
• Unwilling or unable to comply fully with study procedures and follow-up