SARASOTA, Fla. (April 16, 2026) - New-onset atrial fibrillation (AFib) is one of the most common complications after heart surgery, affecting up to 50% of patients and often leading to longer hospital stays, reduced quality of life, and increased risks of stroke, heart failure and death. Despite its prevalence, there are currently no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments proven to prevent AFib in patients who did not have the condition prior to surgery.
Researchers at Sarasota Memorial’s Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute are working to address this challenge through participation in the BoxX-NoAF clinical trial, a multicenter international study sponsored by AtriCure.
Led locally by Jeffrey Sell, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon with Sarasota Memorial’s First Physicians Group, the study will evaluate whether performing surgical ablation and left atrial appendage exclusion (LAAE) during planned heart surgery can safely and effectively reduce new-onset AFib in patients who have risk factors for the condition but no prior history of it. Cardiac ablation and LAAE are well-established procedures used to help reduce the risk of AFib, and this approach aims to address the problem before it starts, by performing them during a patient’s already-planned heart surgery. In most cardiac operations, these procedures can be added safely and efficiently without significantly extending the length of the surgery.
“If successful, this approach could provide physicians with a proactive strategy to help prevent AFib before it begins, potentially improving recovery and reducing complications for thousands of heart surgery patients each year,” Dr. Sell said.
The BoxX-NoAF Trial will enroll up to 960 participants at as many as 75 sites in the United States and internationally. Eligible patients must already be scheduled for a qualifying cardiac procedure, be 65 years of age or older, and have certain risk factors for developing new-onset AFib.
Current strategies to try to prevent AFib after surgery include medications, pacing techniques and other interventions, but none have been proven to reliably stop AFib before it starts. The BoxX-NoAF trial offers a new technique that could more effectively lower the chance of developing AFib after surgery.
People interested in learning more or finding out if they may qualify for the local study can contact the research team at (941) 917-2225 or researchinstitute@smh.com. Additional information about the national trial is available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06989775
About the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute
Located on the flagship Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota campus, the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute serves as a premier hub for medical research and clinical innovation. With dedicated space for research, clinical innovation and graduate medical education, the Kolschowsky Institute provides a collaborative learning environment for physicians, nurses, researchers and students studying new treatments and mastering the latest tools and techniques in patient care. Through state-of-the-art simulation labs, hands-on training programs, and a robust portfolio of clinical studies, Sarasota Memorial and the Kolschowsky Institute play a vital role in advancing medical knowledge, improving patient outcomes, and shaping the future of healthcare in the region. For information, visit smh.com/research.