NCT06959121 · Pulse Biosciences, Inc.
CellFX® Nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation (nsPFA)™ Cardiac Surgery Clamp System to Treat Atrial Fibrillation
(NANOCLAMP-AF)
What this study is about
The primary objective of this Pivotal study is to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the Pulse Biosciences nsPFA™ Cardiac Surgery System in treating atrial fibrillation during concomitant cardiac surgical procedures.
View original scientific description
The primary objective of this Pivotal study is to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the Pulse Biosciences nsPFA™ Cardiac Surgery System in treating atrial fibrillation during concomitant cardiac surgical procedures.
Interventions
DEVICE
CellFX® nsPFA™ Cardiac Surgery System
Participants will receive cardiac ablation with the CellFX® nsPFA™ Cardiac Clamp
Primary outcome measures
Freedom from atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter/atrial tachycardia
Time frame: 3-months through 6 months post-index procedure
Freedom from AF/AFL/AT of 30 seconds or greater duration and freedom for use of new or increased dose of previously failed Class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) prescribed to treat atrial arrhythmias.
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events
Time frame: Within 30 days post-concomitant surgical procedure
Rate of acute major adverse events (MAEs) which includes death, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and transient ischemic attack (TIA) or excessive bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) 3b, 4 or 5).
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Subject must be between 18 and 85 years of age
- Subject is willing and capable of providing Informed Consent to undergo study procedures which include the potential for surgical AF ablation, and completion of follow-up visits as specified in the clinical study protocol
- Subject has history of documented paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF that is intermittent and terminates within ≤ 7 days of onset) or persistent/longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (AF that is continuous and sustains for \> 7 days and requires intervention) within one year prior to enrollment. Documentation may include ECG, transtelephonic monitor (TTM), Holter monitor or telemetry strip from the study hospital or an outside physician
- Subject is scheduled to undergo non-emergent cardiac surgical procedure(s) to be performed on cardiopulmonary bypass including open-heart surgery via sternotomy for one or more of the following: Mitral valve repair or replacement, Aortic valve repair or replacement, Ascending aortic aneurysms, Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)/Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) or Coronary artery bypass procedures
- Left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 30% (determined by echocardiography or cardiac catheterization performed within 60 days of enrollment as documented in patient medical history)
- Subject has a life expectancy of at least 5 years
- Subject currently lives within a reasonable commuting distance of the investigational site and plans to remain geographically stable through 12 month follow up
Exclusion criteria
- Subject has an implantable electronic medical device. (i.e., pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), or Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) or left atrial appendage (LAA) device
- Subject has history or known to have LAA clot
- Subject has a prosthetic heart valve
- Stand- alone AF without indication(s) for concomitant Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) and/or valve surgery
- Prior cardiac surgery including prior cardiac surgical ablation
- Left Atrial diameter ≥ 6cm
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or other Supra-Ventricular Arrhythmia, Atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentry
- Documented history of persistent or long standing persistent atrial fibrillation longer than 10 years
- Subjects requiring surgery other than CABG and/or cardiac valve surgery and/or atrial septal defect repair/PFO and ascending aorta
- Prior history of medical procedure involving instrumentation of the left atrium (e.g., previous ablation)
- Subjects that are on an AAD for ventricular arrhythmia.
- STS Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS PROM) of 10 or higher
- Class III or IV New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart failure symptoms
- Prior history of stroke within 6 months
- Documented ST-segment elevation Myocardial Infarction (MI) within the 6 weeks prior to study enrollment
- Need for emergent cardiac surgery (per sit-to-stand (STS) test definition)
- Known carotid artery stenosis greater than 80%
- Current diagnosis of active systemic infection
- Severe peripheral arterial occlusive disease defined as claudication with minimal exertion
- Renal failure requiring dialysis or hepatic failure (significant liver dysfunction with markedly significant elevation of liver enzymes, such as cirrhosis with decompensation, portal hypertension, or a history of hepatic failure)
- A known drug and/or alcohol addiction
- Mental impairment or other conditions that may not allow the subject to understand the nature, significance, and scope of the study
- Pregnancy or desire to get pregnant within 12 months of the study treatment
- Preoperative need for an intra-aortic balloon pump or intravenous inotropes
- Subjects who have been treated with thoracic radiation
- Subjects in current chemotherapy
- Subjects on long-term treatment with oral or injected steroids (not including intermittent use of inhaled steroids for respiratory diseases)
- Subjects with known hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
- Subjects with known cold agglutinin
- Subject has a contraindication to anticoagulation (e.g., a bleeding or clotting disorder such as Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP))
- Solid organ or hematologic transplant, or currently being evaluated for an organ transplant
- Body mass index \> 45 kg/m2
- Any diagnosed connective tissue disorder
- Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) per sit-to-stand (STS) test definition
- Use of any other investigational drug, therapy, or device within 30 days before enrollment or concurrent participation in another research study
Where
- St. Helena, California
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
Collaborators
Avania
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Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jan 12, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations