Late-Breaking Clinical Trial Results Announced at Heart Rhythm 2011:
Novel Mapping System Identifies Sources Causing Atrial Fibrillation (AF) — The CONFIRM Trial
Targeted, single procedure ablation at identified AF sources increased the long-term freedom from AF by 70 percent over the existing standard of care

SAN FRANCISCO, May 5, 2011 — The CONFIRM study (Conventional Ablation with or without FIRM (Focal Impulse and Rotor Modulation)) demonstrated that, by using a novel diagnostic mapping system, atrial fibrillation (AF) was acutely terminated or substantially slowed with less than 10 minutes of ablation per identified source. FIRM ablation also resulted in a 70 percent increase in the two year freedom from AF (from 50 percent with standard-of-care ablation to 84 percent when preceded by FIRM). Follow-up was verified using implantable devices in the majority of FIRM patients. Rotors and/or focal sources were seen in 98 percent of study patients. Download CONFIRM abstract (PDF, 49K »

“The diagnostic mapping system used in this trial enabled, for the first time, the identification of sources causing AF in patients. These sources were then quickly and effectively eliminated with standard therapeutic tools, even in this largely persistent, hard-to-treat AF population,” stated lead investigator of CONFIRM, Sanjiv Narayan, MD, Ph.D., FHRS, University of California, San Diego and VA Medical Center. “These promising results suggest that the fundamental approach used to treat these AF patients' needs to be reevaluated.”

CONFIRM enrolled 103 patients from ages 40 to 82 years old (67 percent persistent AF, 33 percent paroxysmal). Patients were divided into two groups: a FIRM-guided ablation group consisting of 32 patients who received FIRM ablation for less than ten minutes per rotor/focus followed by wide area circumferential ablation (WACA) for PV isolation, and a conventional ablation group consisting of 71 patients who received WACA alone. Dr. Narayan was sponsored to conduct CONFIRM by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The diagnostic technology used in this study has been licensed to Topera, Inc.

Sessions details:
“Late-Breaking Abstract Session” [May 5, 2011, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Moscone South, Room 305]

About Heart Rhythm 2011
Heart Rhythm 2011 takes place May 4-7, 2011 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA. The Society's Annual Scientific Sessions is the most comprehensive educational event on heart rhythm disorders, offering more than 250 educational opportunities in multiple formats. The world’s most renowned scientists and physicians will present a wide range of heart rhythm topics including cardiac resynchronization therapy, catheter ablation, cardiac pacing and heart failure as well as the latest technology, including state-of-the-art pacemakers and defibrillators.

About the Heart Rhythm Society
The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, DC, it has a membership of more than 5,300 heart rhythm professionals in more than 70 countries around the world.