TactiFlex Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation IDE Trial

This clinical investigation is intended to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the TactiFlex(TM) Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled(TM) (TactiFlex SE) for treating drug-refractory, symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. This clinical investigation will be conducted under an investigational device exemption and is intended to support market approval of the TactiFlex SE catheter worldwide. Three hundred and Fifty Five (355) subjects will be enrolled at up to 50 investigational sites worldwide. This clinical investigation is sponsored by Abbott.

A patient will be eligible for clinical trial participation if he/she meets the following criteria:

• Plans to undergo a catheter ablation procedure due to symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
• Physician's note indicating recurrent self-terminating atrial fibrillation
• One electrocardiographically documented atrial fibrillation episode within 12-months prior to informed consent/enrollment. Documented evidence of the atrial fibrillation episode must either be continuous atrial fibrillation on a 12-lead ECG or include at least 30 seconds of atrial fibrillation from another ECG device.
• At least 18 years of age
• Able and willing to comply with all trial requirements
• Informed of the nature of the trial, agreed to its provisions and has provided written informed consent as approved by the Institutional Review Board/Ethics Committee of the respective clinical trial site.

A patient will be excluded from enrollment in the clinical trial if he/she meets any of the following criteria:

• Persistent or long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation
• Active systemic infection
• Known presence of cardiac thrombus
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Arrhythmia due to reversible causes including thyroid disorders, acute alcohol intoxication, and other major surgical procedures in the 90-day period preceding procedure
• Myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, percutaneous coronary intervention, or valve or coronary bypass grafting surgery within 90 days of procedure
• Left atrial diameter > 5.0 cm measured within 180 days of procedure (echocardiography or computerized tomography)
• Left ventricular ejection fraction < 35% measured within 180 days of procedure (echocardiography or computerized tomography)
• New York Heart Association class III or IV
• Previous left atrial surgical or catheter ablation procedure
• Left atrial surgical procedure or incision with resulting scar (including left atrial appendage closure device)
• Previous tricuspid or mitral valve replacement or repair
• Heart disease in which corrective surgery is anticipated within 180 days after the procedure
• Bleeding diathesis or suspected pro-coagulant state
• Contraindication to long term anti-thromboembolic therapy
• Presence of any condition that precludes appropriate vascular access
• Renal failure requiring dialysis
• Known sensitivity to contrast media (if needed during the procedure) that cannot be controlled with pre-medication
• Severe pulmonary disease (e.g., restrictive pulmonary disease, constrictive or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or any other disease or malfunction of the lungs or respiratory system that produces severe chronic symptoms
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Presence of other anatomic or comorbid condition that, in the investigator's opinion, could limit the patient's ability to participate in the clinical trial or to comply with follow up requirements, or impact the scientific soundness of the clinical trial results
• Patient is currently participating in another clinical trial or has participated in a clinical trial within 30 days prior to screening that may interfere with this clinical trial
• Patient is unlikely to survive the protocol follow up period of 12-months after the procedure
• Body mass index > 40 kg/m2
• Presence of other medical, social, or psychological conditions that, in the investigator's opinion, could limit the subject's ability to participate in the clinical investigation or to comply with follow-up requirements, or impact the scientific soundness of the clinical investigation results.
• Individuals without legal authority
• Individuals unable to read or write
• Patients who have had a ventriculotomy or atriotomy within the preceding 4 weeks of procedure,
• Patients with prosthetic valves,
• Patients with a myxoma,
• Patients with an interatrial baffle or patch as the transseptal puncture could persist and produce an iatrogenic atrial shunt
• Patient unable to receive heparin or an acceptable alternative to achieve adequate anticoagulation
• Stroke or transient ischemic attack within the last 90 days
• Stent, constriction, or stenosis in a pulmonary vein.
• Rheumatic heart disease
• Severe mitral regurgitation (regurgitant volume ≥ 60 mL/beat, regurgitant fraction ≥ 50%, and/or effective regurgitant orifice area ≥ 0.40cm2).