Understanding pulsed-field ablation: A new approach to treating atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common heart condition that affects millions of adults. It occurs when the heart's normal rhythm is disrupted, causing irregular and rapid heartbeats. This can lead to symptoms like palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue. AFib also increases the risk of serious complications, such as stroke and heart failure.
Traditionally, AFib is managed with medications to control the heart's rhythm and prevent blood clots. In more persistent cases, treatments like electrical cardioversion or catheter ablation are used to restore normal rhythm. However, these approaches have limitations, including potential damage to surrounding tissues. That's where new technology, like pulsed-field ablation (PFA), comes in.
What is pulsed-field ablation?
Main Line Health is now offering the latest technology to treat AFib: pulsed-field ablation (PFA). This cutting-edge treatment uses nonthermal energy to precisely target and disrupt the heart tissue responsible for abnormal rhythms.
Unlike traditional methods that rely on heat (radiofrequency) or cold (cryoablation), PFA uses short electrical pulses to safely and effectively treat AFib, providing a more advanced option for patients.
"One of the key advantages of pulsed-field ablation is its ability to precisely target the heart cells causing AFib while sparing nearby tissues, like the esophagus and phrenic nerve," explains Doug Esberg, MD, an electrophysiologist at Lankenau Heart Institute, part of Main Line Health, who specializes in AFib treatment. "This significantly reduces the risk of complications that can occur with other ablation techniques. Plus, PFA procedures are typically quicker, and patients often benefit from faster recovery times.
How does pulsed-field ablation work?
The PFA procedure involves inserting a catheter through a blood vessel and guiding it to the heart. Once in position, the catheter delivers pulsed electrical fields to the areas of the heart responsible for the abnormal rhythm. These electrical pulses electively affect the heart cells, allowing the healthy surrounding tissues to remain unharmed.
The precision of PFA, combined with its nonthermal approach, makes it a safer option for many patients. Most people undergoing PFA experience shorter recovery times and fewer side effects compared with traditional ablation techniques.
Clinical evidence and success rates
Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that pulsed-field ablation is highly effective at restoring normal heart rhythm, with newer complications compared with traditional ablation methods.
"Many of our patients experience significant improvements in their quality of life after the procedure. Pulsed-field ablation represents a major advancement in AFib care, offering a more targeted and safer alternative that we believe will become a standard treatment option for many patients," says Dr. Esberg.
Is pulsed-field ablation right for you?
If you have been diagnosed with AFib and have not found success with medications or other treatments, pulsed-field ablation may be a good option. It's important to discuss your symptoms, medical history and treatment goals with your cardiologist or electrophysiologist to determine if PFA is right for you. Together, you can decide on the best course of action to manage your AFib and improve your heart health.
Pulsed-field ablation represents a new era in AFib treatment, offering a safer and more effective way to restore normal heart rhythm. If you or a loved one is living with AFib, talk with your cardiologist about whether PFA could be right for you.
Next steps:
Make an appointment with a heart rhythm specialist
Learn more about heart care at Main Line Health
Understanding atrial fibrillation
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