What is Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) Technology?
Pulsed field ablation (PFA) uses short bursts of non-thermal energy (instead of using heat or cold energy through traditional ablation) to target the muscle layer in the heart that controls erratic electrical signals.
PFA differs from other ablation therapies because it involves electroporation – high-voltage pulse electrical fields to cardiac tissue. Electrophysiologists can change the voltage level to ensure only abnormal tissue is targeted, not surrounding tissue. This new technology has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) Safety
Several nationwide and international patient clinical trials and evidence have shown that PFA’s non-thermal ablation method treats AFib with good durability and faster procedure times than conventional ablation techniques. Most importantly, it lowers the risk of damaging surrounding tissue.
Overall freedom from AFib after one year was 73% in paroxysmal cases and 58% in persistent AFib, with a less than 1% rate of major adverse events. These studies have concluded that PFA results in:
- Shorter procedure times when compared to thermal ablation methods
- Less risk to surrounding tissues and safer outcomes
- Low rate of complications
- Overall improved patient results
How the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute Can Help
The MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute proudly offers pulsed field ablation technology for qualified Afib patients.
While advances in PFA are essential for patients with AFib, not all patients may be candidates. Factors such as the number of previous ablations or history of atrial flutter can determine which cardiac ablation is best for each patient.
Because of this, the expert care team at the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute works with each individual patient upon the diagnosis of AFib to determine the best course of treatment. Through close collaboration with cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and more, the team ensures that each patient gets the best from both clinical approaches, technological advancements and comfort care.
To learn more, visit memorialcare.org/Heart or view a list of MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute electrophysiologists.