For decades, doctors have used heat and cold to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder. Now, a new technology called Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) is offering patients successful outcomes with fewer complications.
PFA uses short bursts of high-energy electric fields to interrupt the irregular signals that cause AFib, helping to restore a regular heartbeat. Unlike traditional methods like radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation, PFA is more selective for heart tissue and reduces the risk of damaging surrounding organs.
Providence St. Jude’s electrophysiologists became early adopters of PFA, which is being called one of the most significant advances in catheter ablation in decades. “It’s a paradigm shift in AFib treatment that combines high rates of clinical success with a very low complication rate,” says Danny Lee, M.D., a board-certified cardiologist and electrophysiologist and medical director of Providence St. Jude Electrophysiology Lab. “The advantage over current ablation technologies is the ability to more selectively create lesions in cardiac tissue, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding structures.”
AFib is a condition where the upper chambers of the heart beat very rapidly and irregularly, compromising the heart’s ability to pump blood to the rest of the body. This can lead to symptoms like dizziness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue. If left untreated, AFib increases the risk of stroke by three to five times.
PFA is a minimally invasive procedure. Doctors pass catheters through the femoral veins in the groin to the heart. The catheter then creates tiny lesions in the heart tissue to block the irregular signals causing AFib. PFA’s tissue selectivity helps avoid damage to the esophagus and nerves, making it a safer option for patients.
“PFA’s use of tissue-selective, non-thermal electric fields offers patients the benefits of reduced risk, outstanding outcomes and less time under anesthesia,” says Dr. Lee. “All reasons why it’s expected to become the standard of care for AFib and possibly other arrhythmias.”
If you or a loved one is dealing with AFib, consider discussing Pulsed Field Ablation with your healthcare provider. For more information, call 714-992-3000 or visit providence.org/stjude.
