Scientists at McGill University have successfully tested a new procedure to treat heart rhythm disorders (atrial fibrillation). The study was presented at the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Meeting.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart rhythm disorder and can present with a fast or irregular heartbeat, fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
To control symptoms and reduce the risk of stroke, thermal ablation is often used – “turning off” with the help of extreme (high or low) temperatures of the heart that are involved in the formation of irregular heart rhythms. The study tested pulsed field ablation, which turns individual heart cells off with electricity rather than extreme temperatures.
Doctors from nine countries participated in the study. Pulsed ablation was applied to 300 patients who could not alleviate atrial fibrillation with drugs.
In 55-66% of the patients (depending on the type of atrial fibrillation), arrhythmia attacks were not seen between 3 and 12 months after the procedure. Quality of life was also significantly improved in all patients. According to the researchers, the ablation procedure with a pulsed field does not differ from thermal in efficiency. The procedure is twice as fast and much safer: Exposure to extreme temperatures can damage tissues outside the heart, such as the esophagus and nerves.
Pulsed field ablation has been used for nearly a decade to treat cancer by killing tumor cells. Scientists believe the procedure may become more common than thermal ablation. However, further studies with more patients and controls are needed.