Pulse Field Ablation

What is Pulse Field Ablation (PFA)?

Pulse Field Ablation (PFA) is a new method of ablation available at UR Medicine.

Ablation is a common treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), most common heart rhythm disorder requiring treatment. In AF, the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly and often rapidly, leading to symptoms like fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath and activity intolerance. This also increases the risk of stroke.

For many patients with AF, a technique called catheter ablation can be performed, where doctors destroy the abnormal areas inside the heart that is responsible for triggering AF via radiofrequency (RF) ablation or cryoballoon ablation. These methods use heating or freezing of the heart to destroy the abnormal areas.

PFA, on the other hand, uses short, high-energy electrical pulses to create precise and controlled lesions in the heart, effectively stopping the erratic electrical signals causing AF. This approach is unique because it specifically targets heart muscle cells while sparing other tissues like the esophagus, phrenic nerve and blood vessels nearby.

Do you have symptoms or have been diagnosed with structural heart disease?

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UR Medicine's Approach

What Are the Advantages of Pulse Field Ablation?

Safety: PFA is highly selective for heart muscle cells and reduces the risk of damaging surrounding structures like the esophagus, nerves, and blood vessels. Traditional RF and cryoablation carry a small but significant risk of complications like esophageal injury or phrenic nerve damage.

Shorter Procedure Times: PFA procedures are typically faster than RF and cryoablation, as the technology allows for quicker energy delivery and ablation of the abnormal areas. Shorter procedure times may reduce risks associated with prolonged sedation or anesthesia.

Efficiency: PFA is shown to create consistent and lasting ablations, possibly reducing the likelihood of requiring repeat procedures.

Patient Comfort: Patients may experience less discomfort during and after the procedure compared to RF ablation, which uses heat, or cryoablation, which involves intense cold.

What Sets Us Apart?

At UR Medicine, we go above and beyond to provide the best care for patients with heart rhythm problems. Patients choose us for the following reasons:

Experienced and Caring Team Our doctors, nurses, and technicians are among the most skilled and experienced in the field. They work together seamlessly to deliver Medicine of the Highest Order, ensuring every patient feels supported every step of the way.

State-of-the-Art Technology: UR Medicine has dedicated, state-of-the-art electrophysiology (EP) labs, equipped with the latest tools including advanced 3-D mapping systems that allow doctors to pinpoint problem areas in the heart with incredible accuracy. This helps us treat heart rhythm issues more precisely and effectively.

Serving All of Upstate NY: At UR Medicine we are proud to serve patients from across Upstate New York and Pennsylvania offering access to top-quality care close to home. When it comes to heart rhythm care, we combine cutting-edge technology with compassionate care to give you the best results and peace of mind.