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Pulsed Field Ablation: a Novel Therapeutic Tool for Catheter-Based Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

  • New Therapies for Cardiovascular Disease (AA Bavry and M Massoomi, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

With catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation becoming increasingly common, the field of electrophysiology is searching for tools to improve procedural efficacy and safety. This review focuses on a novel ablation tool, pulsed field ablation, which promises to push the needle forward. Pulsed field ablation uses high-frequency electrical pulses to ablate cardiac tissue.

Recent Findings

A number of pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown pulsed field ablation offers an efficient means of ablating cardiac tissue with minimal risk of collateral injury.

Summary

Pulsed field ablation provides a non-thermal means of cardiac tissue ablation with minimal risk of injury to adjacent structures. Future studies will define the optimal current delivery, number of lesions needed to achieve the desired tissue effect, and how best to integrate pulsed field ablation catheters into 3-dimensional mapping systems.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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  1. Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division, University of Virginia Health System: UVA Health, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Andrew E. Darby

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Darby, A.E. Pulsed Field Ablation: a Novel Therapeutic Tool for Catheter-Based Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. Curr Cardiol Rep 24, 793–799 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-022-01697-2

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