Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, which can produce symptoms such as palpitations in about 60% of patients. At the same time, it is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic complications, including strokes. To date, surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (ablation) has used high-frequency current energy, so-called RF ablation or balloon cryoablation. The advantage of using the novel Pulsed Field Ablation method is that it selectively damages cardiac cells. This reduces the risk of complications in the form of damage to adjacent vessels, nerves and thoracic organs. The technology also significantly reduces the duration of the procedure from two hours to a few tens of minutes. And as emphasized by Pawel Balsam, MD, PhD, head of the Department of Clinical Electroradiology UCC MUW, where the procedure was performed, scientific reports indicate that during the recovery period, which lasts about one month, patients do not experience chest pain.
- So far, PFA efficacy data indicate similar values to RF ablation or balloon cryoablation and similar complication rates - adds Pawel Balsam, MD, PhD. - At this point, we are using the PFA method in patients with atrial fibrillation, but work is underway to use it in other indications.
The PFA procedures were performed on January 13 by a team consisting of Dr. Piotr Lodziński, Dr. Michal Peller, Michal Marchel, MD, PhD, Paweł Balsam, MD, PhD, and Cezary Maciejewski, MD, assisted by the nursing and technical team: Anna Kawa, Beata Marcjoniak, Anna Grodzicka, Bartłomiej Kuć. The Department of Clinical Electrocardiology UCC MUW is part of the 1st Department of Cardiology UCC MUW, headed by Prof. Marcin Grabowski.
In preparation for the procedures, Pawel Balsam, MD, PhD, and Dr. Piotr Lodzinski received training at Le Clinique Pasteur in Toulouse, France.
UCC MUW is the third center in Poland performing atrial fibrillation ablation procedures by electroporation method. Until now, such procedures have only been performed at the National Institute of Cardiology in Warsaw-Anin and the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 4 in Lublin.
