The purpose of the OPTIMIZE study is to learn more about the safety and effectiveness of the FARAPULSE Pulsed Field Ablation System, OptiMap Catheter, and OptiMap System in treating persistent atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition in which the heart beats rapidly and/or irregularly for at least seven continuous days. Participants will be patients who are experiencing persistent AFib symptoms, have not previously had an ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation, and have not improved with medication. Pulsed field ablation is a procedure that uses short bursts of electrical energy to safely destroy small areas of abnormal heart tissue that may be causing AFib. In some cases, AFib does not stop after ablating the pulmonary veins because other parts of the heart are also sending abnormal signals. By using the OptiMap Catheter and OptiMap System, additional problem areas may be identified and treated with pulsed field ablation using the FARAPOINT Catheter. Study procedures also include electrocardiogram (EKG), physical exam, and echocardiogram. While most devices in the study have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), their use in this research is considered experimental.
A Global Randomized Trial Comparing Pulsed Field Ablation of Pulmonary Veins plus Extra-PV Sources utilizing Electrographic Flow Mapping Versus Pulmonary Veins plus Posterior Wall in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Patients