Pulsed GP AF
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pulsed Ganglionic Plexi (GP) Atrial Fibrillation (AF) study: A randomised trial comparing Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI) versus Pulmonary Vein Isolation plus epicardial Ganglionic Plexi ablation using focal pulsed field ablation (PFA) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
IRAS ID
349665
Contact name
Ian Mann
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 3 days
Research summary
This study investigates a new heart treatment called Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA), a precise method for correcting irregular heartbeats in atrial fibrillation (AF). Unlike older techniques, PFA works from inside the heart but may not affect the nerves on the heart’s outer surface, which can trigger AF.
We aim to determine whether adding external nerve ablation (treatment on the outside of the heart) enhances long-term outcomes. Participants will be randomly assigned to either:
Standard treatment (PFA inside the heart only) or
Research treatment (PFA inside + nerve ablation outside the heart).
All procedures will be done under general anaesthesia by expert heart specialists in Brighton. Patients won’t know which group they’re in.
To track results, a small loop recorder (a heart monitor implanted under the skin) will record heart rhythms, and a 24-hour ECG will check nerve function three months later.
The goal is to see if combining internal and external ablation works better for patients with paroxysmal AF (episodes of irregular heartbeat that start and stop suddenly). This could lead to more effective, longer-lasting treatments.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0555
Date of REC Opinion
1 Sep 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion