Electrophysiologist-led Deep Sedation Protocols for Pulsed Field Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation Using a Bipolar Tip-Catheter: The DEEP-PFA Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT07149545 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 240

Last updated 2026-02-11

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The DEEP-PFA trial is an investigator-initiated, prospective, single-center, three-arm (1: 1: 1), randomized controlled study comparing three anesthesia regimens-midazolam + fentanyl (DS1), flurbiprofen + midazolam + fentanyl (DS2), and dexmedetomidine + midazolam + fentanyl (DS3)-for non-airway-assisted pulsed-field ablation (PFA) in atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients scheduled for atrial fibrillation ablation at Beijing Anzhen Hospital will be screened for eligibility. Following signature of informed consent, patients who meets all inclusion criteria without any exclusion criteria, will be randomly assigned at a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: (1) DS1: Traditional Midazolam Group (Midazolam + Fentanyl); (2) DS2: Enhanced Analgesia Group (Flurbiprofen + Midazolam + Fentanyl); or (3) DS3: Enhanced Sedation Group (Dexmedetomidine + Midazolam + Fentanyl). The primary endpoint of this study was the proportion of patients achieving a Ramsay sedation score of ≥3 at the start of ablation.

Conditions

  • Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
  • PFA
  • Deep Sedation

Interventions

DRUG

Arm A (Fentanyl + Midazolam)

Prior to venous puncture, administer 0.5 mg midazolam intravenously, concurrently with 20 µg fentanyl intravenously. Subsequently, maintain fentanyl infusion at 1-1.5 µg/kg/h. Prior to atrial septal puncture, administer an additional 0.5 mg midazolam. Upon initiation of ablation, adjust the fentanyl infusion rate to 2.0-2.5 µg/kg/h. If required during ablation, supplement with 0.5 mg midazolam or 2 ml fentanyl.

DRUG

Arm B (Flurbiprofen axetil + Fentanyl + Midazolam)

Prior to venous puncture, administer 0.5 mg midazolam intravenously, followed by 20 µg fentanyl intravenously. Subsequently, maintain fentanyl infusion at 1-1.5 µg/kg/h. Prior to atrial septal puncture, administer 50-100 mg flurbiprofen ester and 0.5 mg midazolam. Upon ablation initiation, adjust the fentanyl infusion rate to 2.0-2.5 µg/kg/h. If required during ablation, supplement with 0.5 mg midazolam or 2 ml fentanyl.

DRUG

Arm C (Fentanyl + Dexmedetomidine)

Prior to venous puncture, administer dexmedetomidine intravenously at 1 µg/kg/h for 15 minutes, then reduce to 0.4 µg/kg/h. Concurrently, administer fentanyl intravenously at 20 µg. Subsequently, maintain dexmedetomidine infusion at 1-1.5 µg/kg/h. After ablation initiation, adjust the fentanyl infusion rate to 2.0-2.5 µg/kg/h. If required during ablation, administer an additional 0.5 mg midazolam or 2 ml fentanyl.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Beijing Anzhen Hospital

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
80 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-10-15
Primary Completion
2026-01-27
Completion
2026-01-27

Countries

  • China

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07149545 on ClinicalTrials.gov