Page last updated July 09, 2026
ClinicalTrials.gov#: NCT06988202
Study Design: Intervention Trial
PCORnet Infrastructure: Common Data Model (CDM), Single IRB, Patient partners or engagement
Principal Investigator: Jonathan Steinberg
Institution: University of Rochester
Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI); (Project webpage)
Funding Date: 2025
Study Duration: 2025 – 2031
Participating PCORnet® Clinical Research Networks: STAR
Therapeutic Area: Cardiovascular, Engagement Methods, Healthcare Delivery, Health Disparities
Status: Recruiting
Research Question(s):
Many people with persistent atrial fibrillation have symptoms that continue or return after their first ablation procedure. When this happens, patients and doctors often consider a second ablation. However, there is not enough evidence to know which repeat ablation approach gives patients the best chance of feeling better and reducing future AF-related care.
REPEAT-AF asks whether adding left atrial posterior wall isolation to a repeat pulmonary vein isolation procedure improves symptoms, reduces atrial fibrillation recurrence, lowers AF burden, and reduces cardiovascular-related healthcare use compared with repeat pulmonary vein isolation alone. In plain language, the study asks: For adults who still have atrial fibrillation after a first ablation for persistent AF, does a more comprehensive repeat ablation help patients feel better and have fewer AF-related problems than the standard repeat ablation approach?