Study purpose and design

The STOP Persistent AF trial is the first and largest, prospective, multicenter, single-arm study with prespecified performance goals to assess the safety and efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using the Medtronic Arctic Front Advance™ cryoballoon for patients with drug-refractory, symptomatic, persistent AF. The trial included 165 patients treated at 25 sites across the United States, Canada, and Japan.1


Key findings

54.8%

Primary effectiveness endpoint met

Primary efficacy endpoint of 54.8% exceeded prespecified performance goal (P < 0.001).

0.6%

Primary safety endpoint met

Primary safety endpoint rate of 0.6% was below prespecified performance goal (P = 0.002). Only one primary safety event occurred and was unrelated to study device. 

121
minutes

Efficiency outcomes

Short and predictable procedure times of 121 ± 46 minutes

Quality-of-life outcomes

86.8% secondary endpoint assessments of quality of life demonstrated significant improvements by 12 months post-ablation (P < 0.001) with a high rate of freedom from repeat ablation (86.8%).


Watch the scientific exchange video.

Learn more about the impact of Arctic Front™ cryoballoon ablation for the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation featuring a discussion of the clinical evidence supporting PVI for persistent AF and STOP Persistent AF trial results.

  • Dr. Hugh Calkins
  • Dr. Vivek Reddy
  • Dr. Wilber Su 

Log in to Medtronic Academy to view the video.



Endpoint definitions

Primary efficacy endpoint

Success at 12 months > 40% performance goal

  • Acute procedural success (cryoballoon PVI only)
  • Freedom from AF/AT/AFL ≥ 30 sec after 90-day blanking
  • No class I or III AAD dose initiation/increase after blanking

Primary safety endpoint

Safety event rate < 13% performance goal

  • Within 7 days: death, transient ischemic attack, cerebrovascular accident, major bleeding that requires transfusion, myocardial infarction, cardiac perforation, tamponade, or pericardial effusion
  • Within 12 months: PV stenosis or AE fistula
  • At 12 months: unresolved PNI

Study population

Key inclusion criteria

  • Symptomatic, persistent AF defined as a continuous, sustained episode lasting longer than 7 days but ≤ 6 months
  • Failure or intolerance of at least one AAD
  • At least 18 years of age

Key exclusion criteria

  • Prior left atrial ablation or surgery
  • Stroke/transient ischemic attack within 6 months of enrollment
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%
  • Left atrial diameter > 5.0 cm

Study recurrence monitoring

  Pre-procedure Blanking period 6W 3 months 6 months 12 months
Weekly and symptomatic tele-ECG monitoring      ➜  ➜
Telephone follow-up        
In-office 12-lead ECG    
In-office 24-hour Holter      
Quality-of-life survey    

Educational resources on Medtronic Academy

Access detailed product information, including specification sheets, videos, and presentations.

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