Trial purpose and design

The Sustained Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (STOP AF) trial was designed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the first-generation Arctic Front™ cardiac cryoablation system when used to treat patients with drug-refractory, recurrent, symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Outcomes of this trial resulted in FDA approval of the cryoballoon in the United States.1


Key findings

69.9%

Primary effectiveness endpoint met

The STOP AF trial demonstrated that cryoballoon ablation is a safe and effective alternative to antiarrhythmic medication for the treatment of patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF.

3.1%

Primary safety endpoint met

The first-generation cryoballoon trial showed improved safety outcomes relative to drugs: 3.1% major AF events in the ablation arm compared to the drug arm, which had 8.5% major AF events.



Trial recurrence monitoring

Day 0 blanking period for AF detection

3 months

6 months

12 months

Weekly and symptom-initiated TTM

➜   ➜ ➜ 

Electrocardiogram

Clinical follow-up

48-hour Holter monitor

 



PAS purpose and design

The STOP AF post approval study (PAS) is the largest prospective FDA multicenter study in North America to assess long-term safety and effectiveness of the Arctic Front Advance™ cardiac cryoablation catheter system in the treatment of patients with drug-refractory, recurrent, symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.2 The primary objectives are effectiveness (freedom from AF) at 36 months and safety (cryoablation/procedure-related events) at 12 months.


PAS key findings

Results demonstrate Arctic Front Advance™ cryoballoon safety, efficacy, and suggest lesion durability in patients with drug-refractory, recurrent, symptomatic PAF. 


Primary effectiveness endpoint met

1. Freedom from AF

  • 12 months: 81.6%
  • 24 months: 73.8%
  • 36 months: 68.1%

2. Freedom from AF/AFL/AT

  • 12 months: 79.0%
  • 24 months: 70.8%
  • 36 months: 64.1%

5.8% major complication event rate, of which 3.2% (11/344) phrenic nerve injury (PNI) present post-ablation, 0.3% (1/344) persisted beyond 36 months.

Primary effectiveness
Freedom from AF recurrence at 36 months (N = 90)



PAS recurrence monitoring

 

3 months

6 months

12 months

Annual visit through 36 months

Electrocardiogram

Clinical follow-up

24-hour Holter monitor

 

 

 

48-hour Holter monitor

 

 


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