NCT07487532

Acupuncture for Preventing Atrial Arrhythmia Recurrence After Ablation

Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Atrial Tachyarrhythmia Prevention After Catheter Ablation in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Patients: a Prospective, Open-label, Randomized, Blank-controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to evaluate whether acupuncture can reduce the recurrence of atrial arrhythmias after catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. Catheter ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation, but recurrence remains common, especially in persistent cases. In this prospective, randomized, open-label trial, 120 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation who have undergone successful catheter ablation will be enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group will receive acupuncture in addition to standard medical therapy, while the control group will receive standard medical therapy alone. Participants will be followed for 12 months. The primary outcome is the recurrence of atrial arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia. Secondary outcomes include cardiac structure and function, atrial fibrillation burden, and quality of life. This study will provide clinical evidence on whether acupuncture can be an effective adjunctive therapy to improve outcomes after catheter ablation.

Conditions

• Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Electroacupuncture	Electroacupuncture is administered starting on the second day after catheter ablation. Treatment is performed twice weekly for 5 weeks using bilateral Neiguan (PC6) and Jianshi (PC5) acupoints. Low-frequency electrical stimulation (2 Hz) is applied during each session. All procedures are performed by trained practitioners following standardized protocols.
DRUG	Standard Medical Therapy	Standard medical therapy is administered after catheter ablation according to current clinical guidelines and physician judgment. This includes antiarrhythmic drugs and anticoagulation therapy as appropriate. Medication use is recorded throughout the study period.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-04-01
• Primary completion: 2028-04-30
• Completion: 2028-04-30
• First posted: 2026-03-23
• Last updated: 2026-04-01