Catheter ablation is frequently performed to improve quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This randomized multicenter trial compared catheter ablation with a sham procedure to assess the true effect of the intervention on AF-related quality of life.

In this episode, Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MACC and Rolf Wachter, MD discuss the results of “PVI-SHAM-AF: Pulmonary vein isolation versus SHAM in AF”.

Related References:

1. Wachter R, Haag P, Uhe T, et al. Catheter ablation for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (PVI-SHAM-AF): a randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled, multicentre trial. Lancet. 2026;408(10559):999-1009. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01558-8
2. Mark DB, Anstrom KJ, Sheng S, et al. Effect of Catheter Ablation vs Medical Therapy on Quality of Life Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: The CABANA Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2019;321(13):1275-1285. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.0692
3. Dulai R, Sulke N, Freemantle N, et al. Pulmonary Vein Isolation vs Sham Intervention in Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation: The SHAM-PVI Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. Published online September 2, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.17921
4. Osmancik P, Neuzil P, Hozmanova J, et al. Pulsed Field Ablation Versus Sham to Treat Atrial Fibrillation: The PFA-SHAM Randomized Clinical Trial. Circulation. 2026;153(25):1984-1998. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.126.079484