Partial cardiac denervation to prevent irregular heartbeat after coronary bypass surgery
Tests partial cardiac denervation to prevent atrial fibrillation in adults having coronary bypass surgery.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Partial Cardiac Denervation for Preventing Atrial Fibrillation After CABG
Key facts
- Where
- Beijing, Changsha, Guangzhou, Nanjing, and Zhenzhou, ChinaSee the 5 sites
Where in China
- Fuwai Hospital, PUMC & CAMSBeijing, ChinaNo longer taking part
- The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangsha, ChinaNo longer taking part
- Guangdong Provincial People's HospitalGuangzhou, ChinaNo longer taking part
- Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, ChinaNo longer taking part
- Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular HospitalZhenzhou, ChinaNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases
- Trial code
- NCT07918781
- Record updated
- 5 November 2026
- Original description
Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common arrhythmia following cardiac surgery and is associated with increased risks of mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, and hospital readmission. The cardiac autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the development of POAF and may represent a potential target for preventive intervention.Read full original descriptionShow less
Cardiac Autonomic Neuromodulation in Myocardial Revascularization (CALM): A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Partial Cardiac Denervation for the Prevention of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common arrhythmia following cardiac surgery and is associated with increased risks of mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, and hospital readmission. The cardiac autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the development of POAF and may represent a potential target for preventive intervention.
The CALM trial is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of partial cardiac denervation for the prevention of POAF in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A total of approximately 1,470 participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to undergo CABG with partial cardiac denervation or CABG alone. Partial cardiac denervation consists of transection of the ligament of Marshall and resection of the Waterston fat pad.
The trial will evaluate the incidence of POAF within the first 6 postoperative days and the occurrence of long-term adverse clinical events. Participants will undergo scheduled rhythm monitoring and clinical follow-up, and all participants will be followed until the last enrolled participant completes 3 years of follow-up after surgery.
Inclusion: Adults aged 18 years or older; Scheduled to undergo isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, either with or without cardiopulmonary bypass; Able and willing to provide written informed consent; No atrial fibrillation detected on preoperative 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring.
Exclusion: Previous cardiac surgery; Emergency surgery; Prior history of atrial fibrillation; Use of antiarrhythmic medications other than beta-blockers within 2 weeks before surgery; Planned concomitant cardiac procedures, including but not limited to congenital heart disease surgery or left ventricular reconstruction; Preoperative critical condition; Left ventricular ejection fraction of 30% or lower; Left atrial diameter greater than 50 mm.