Skip to content

Effect of a Bigger Cryoballoon on the Total Antral Lesion Size: Evaluation of POLARx FIT

Effect of a Bigger Cryoballoon on the Total Antral Lesion Size: Evaluation of POLARx FIT

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05881733
Acronym
BETTER-FIT
Enrollment
20
Registered
2023-05-31
Start date
2023-10-02
Completion date
2025-04-23
Last updated
2025-12-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Atrial Fibrillation

Keywords

Cryoballoon, Atrial fibrillation

Brief summary

The investigators will prospectively evaluate the extent of antral lesion created by the 31 mm balloon size of a novel cryoballoon catheter (POLARx FIT). In 20 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, the investigators will perform pre- and post-ablation high-definition 3D maps to quantify the extent of lesion created by the 31 mm POLARx FIT cryoballoon.

Detailed description

Rationale: The next generation POLARx cryoablation balloon (CB) catheter will have the option of to deliver cryotherapy with the current balloon size of 28 mm or a new, larger 31 mm size by changing the inner balloon pressure (POLARx FIT, Boston Scientific). Currently, there is no data on the extension of left atrial (LA) lesion formation with the 31 mm balloon size of the POLARx FIT cryoablation balloon catheter. The hypothesis is that a larger CB size results in a wide antral circumferential lesion. Objective: The primary objective is to evaluate the antral lesion size using ultrahigh-density (UHDx) mapping pre- and post-cryoablation with the 31 mm balloon size CB. Secondary objectives are the proportion of pulmonary veins (PVs) where a 31 mm CB could be positioned to achieve a grade 4 occlusion and the single shot success rate with the 31 mm balloon size CB. Study design: Single-center, single-arm, prospective study with pre- and post-PVI UHDx mapping. Study population: Twenty adult patients with paroxysmal AF who are scheduled to undergo pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with a CB. Intervention: Patients will undergo pre- and post-ablation UHDx mapping (Orion catheter and Rhythmia 3D-mapping system, Boston Scientific) during the index procedure. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary endpoint is the extent of the antral lesion size. Secondary endpoints are the proportion of PVs with grade 4 occlusion with the 31 mm balloon size CB, the single shot success rate of the 31 mm balloon size CB, difference in rate of achieving grade 4 occlusion in comparison to the standard (28 mm) size. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit, and group relatedness: A UHDx mapping will be acquired before and after complete PVI. The procedures will be performed under deep sedation, which is standard practice for CB procedures in our institution. The risk of additional mapping is limited. LA mapping is a standard diagnostic method for patients undergoing PVI with radiofrequency (standard-of-care). In the current study, UHDx mapping will now be used in patients undergoing PVI with CB. The most important complication of additional intracardiac mapping is cardiac tamponade, but this risk is low (\<0.5%).

Interventions

DEVICEPOLARx FIT cryoballoon

Patients will undergo cryoablation with the 31 mm balloon size of the POLARx FIT cryoballoon.

Sponsors

Boston Scientific Corporation
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Erasmus Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Prospective, single-arm, single-center, study

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. History of symptomatic paroxysmal AF 2. Subjects who are indicated for a PVI according to the 2020 ESC guidelines for the diagnosis and management of AF 3. Subjects who are willing and capable of providing informed consent 4. Subjects who are willing and capable of participating in all testing associated with this clinical investigation 5. Subjects whose age is 18 years or above

Exclusion criteria

1. Any known contraindication to an AF ablation or anticoagulation 2. History of previous left atrial ablation or surgical treatment of AF, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia 3. AF secondary to electrolyte imbalance, thyroid disease, or any other reversible or non-cardiac cause 4. Significant structural heart disease as evidenced by: 1. Left ventricular ejection fraction \<45% based on most recent transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) performed \<6 months prior to enrollment 2. LA diameter \>55 mm based on most recent TTE performed \<6 months prior to enrollment 3. Previous cardiac surgery 4. Previous cardiac valvular surgical or percutaneous procedure 5. Interatrial baffle, closure device, patch, or occluder 6. Unstable angina or ongoing myocardial ischemia 7. Moderate or severe valvular heart disease on most recent TTE performed \<6 months prior to enrolment 8. Congenital heart disease 9. Left atrial thrombus 5. History of blood clotting or bleeding disease 6. Stroke or transient ischemic attack \<3 months prior to enrollment 7. Active systemic infection 8. Common ostium PV \>24 mm defined by CT-scan 9. Pregnant, lactating, or women of childbearing potential who are, or plan to become, pregnant during the time of the study 10. Subjects who are currently enrolled in another investigational study or registry that would directly interfere with the current study

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Ablated Left Atrial Posterior Wall With a 31 mm Balloon Size POLARx FITInterprocedural (directly after cryoablation)Low-voltage areas will be quantified using a bipolar voltage \<0.3 mV. The sum of the posterior ablated areas of all pulmonary veins is expressed as a percentage of the total left atrial posterior wall.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Pulmonary Veins With Grade 4 Occlusion With a 31 mm Balloon Size POLARx FITInterprocedural (before cryoablation)A grade 4 occlusion is defined as complete contrast stasis. Cine acquisitions of contrast vein occlusions was analyzed by two experienced observers.
Percentage of Pulmonary Veins With a Single Shot Success Rate Using a 31 mm Balloon Size POLARx FIT Cryoablation CatheterInterprocedural (directly after cryoablation)Pulmonary vein isolation will be determined using conventional criteria: entry- and exit-block as assessed with the circular mapping catheter (POLARMAP).

Countries

Netherlands

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Study Population
This study will have only a single arm. Patients will undergo pulmonary vein isolation using the 31 mm balloon size of POLARx FIT. High-definition 3D maps will be constructed before and after cryoablation to assess the antral lesion size. POLARx FIT cryoballoon: Patients will undergo cryoablation with the 31 mm balloon size of the POLARx FIT cryoballoon.
20
Total20

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicStudy Population
Age, Continuous59.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.7
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected— Participants
Region of Enrollment
Netherlands
20 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
15 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 20
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 20
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 20

Outcome results

Primary

Percentage of Ablated Left Atrial Posterior Wall With a 31 mm Balloon Size POLARx FIT

Low-voltage areas will be quantified using a bipolar voltage \<0.3 mV. The sum of the posterior ablated areas of all pulmonary veins is expressed as a percentage of the total left atrial posterior wall.

Time frame: Interprocedural (directly after cryoablation)

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Study populationPercentage of Ablated Left Atrial Posterior Wall With a 31 mm Balloon Size POLARx FIT35.4 percentage of posterior wallStandard Deviation 13.8
Secondary

Percentage of Pulmonary Veins With a Single Shot Success Rate Using a 31 mm Balloon Size POLARx FIT Cryoablation Catheter

Pulmonary vein isolation will be determined using conventional criteria: entry- and exit-block as assessed with the circular mapping catheter (POLARMAP).

Time frame: Interprocedural (directly after cryoablation)

Population: There were 4 pulmonary veins per participant. Thus, in 20 participants there were 80 pulmonary veins. We determined the percentage of pulmonary veins which were isolated after 1 cryoapplication with the 31 mm balloon size of the POLARx FIT catheter. 63 of 80 pulmonary veins (79%) were isolated after 1 cryoapplication.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Study populationPercentage of Pulmonary Veins With a Single Shot Success Rate Using a 31 mm Balloon Size POLARx FIT Cryoablation Catheter79 Percentage
Secondary

Percentage of Pulmonary Veins With Grade 4 Occlusion With a 31 mm Balloon Size POLARx FIT

A grade 4 occlusion is defined as complete contrast stasis. Cine acquisitions of contrast vein occlusions was analyzed by two experienced observers.

Time frame: Interprocedural (before cryoablation)

Population: There were 4 pulmonary veins per participant. Thus, in 20 participants there were 80 pulmonary veins. We determined the percentage of pulmonary veins which had a grade 4 occlusion with the 31 mm balloon size of the POLARx FIT catheter. In 69 of 80 pulmonary veins (86%) a grade 4 occlusion with the 31 mm balloon size could be achieved.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Study populationPercentage of Pulmonary Veins With Grade 4 Occlusion With a 31 mm Balloon Size POLARx FIT86 Percentage

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026