Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) for Atrial Fibrillation

[Ruza2020]

I just found out about new type of ablation - it is called Pulse Field Ablation (PFA).

Did anyone here have this type of procedure, and was it successful?

[BobD Volunteer]

Yes it is relatively new and not available everywhere but several centres in UK offer it. If you use the search facility there are a number of posts , one quite recently about it.

I think the big takeaway from what we know so far is that recovery is generally slighty easier but that so far results are on a par with existing methods though it is hoped that this may improve with time.

[Ruza2020 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob.

[mjames1]

Several here have with I believe good results. You should contact the EP department at Royal Papworth. They were the first in the UK to do the procedure so probably have the most experience.

Jim

[Ruza2020 in reply to mjames1]

Thanks Jim.

[Buzby62]

Hi, here is a link to my reply to a similar post recently

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

Best wishes

[Addamsfamily]

Yes I had PFA just over 3 weeks ago at Liverpool Heart and Chest hospital. I'm still in the blanking period, so will know after that if it's been successful.

[Ruza2020 in reply to Addamsfamily]

Thanks Addamsfamily. All the best with your recovery.

[Deepbreath27]

I had one on 08/05/24 At Harefield Hospital. So far so good, I suppose the test will be when I come off my daily Flecanide, at 3 months post procedure

[Ruza2020 in reply to Deepbreath27]

Thanks for responding - and all the best.

[iris1205]

My last ablation was PFA (and it was the 7th), was in October and I am at last Afib free! If you look up my posts I provided more information.

[Ruza2020 in reply to iris1205]

Oh my goodness, seven ablations - I assume they were not all PFA? But good to hear that the 7th one was a success.

[iris1205 in reply to Ruza2020]

Only the 7th was PFA, and it was done in New York City!

[DrBook in reply to iris1205]

May I ask who your EP was? I'm considering consulting with an EP at NYU Langone Health. Thank you.

Brian

[iris1205 in reply to DrBook]

Sure Will reply to you privately

[Della71]

I don’t believe it’s available in the US yet. My EP doesn’t recommend waiting for it as a fib is progressive and I failed on Flecainide. He also says patients must be aware and consider the fact that we don’t yet know the long term effects.

[Ruza2020 in reply to Della71]

Thanks Della. I live in Canada - it may not be available here either.

My EPs and cardiologist said the same thing - Afib is progressive. Had I had my ablation five years ago (the 1st time I had Afib) the success rate would had been between 80 and 85%, and now around 60%.

I too was on Flecainide for about five weeks. I felt perfect on it for the first four weeks, then things went downhill. Flecainide caused me to develop horrible flutter (worse than Afib). Once I stopped taking F flutter stopped.

[Della71 in reply to Ruza2020]

Flecainide caused flutter for me as well but two days after starting it. Heart rate went to over 300. I stopped Flec but the flutter remained. I am scheduled for ablation for both fib and flutter next month. I was told around 80% success rate for fib and over 90% for flutter.

[Ruza2020 in reply to Della71]

300 bpm - that's crazy. My heart rate went to 264 bpm - at the same time my BP plummeted - they kept me in hospital for six days because of this. That is the time when they put me on Amiodarone (what a toxic drug).

80% to 90% success rate is for those whose heart hasn't remodelled yet - unfortunately, frequent Afib episodes are damaging to our heart.

[Karendeena in reply to Della71]

I was told the same statistics. I have paroxysmal afib and flutter and was ablated for both on the 26th March this year, so far so good my heart appears to be behaving but still on the Sotalol at the moment. 🤞It stays this way!

[Ruza2020 in reply to Karendeena]

Sounds very promising - all the best.

[Karendeena in reply to Ruza2020]

Cheers, suppose all will be revealed if my EP takes me off the Sotalol. I could live with occasional episodes....I think 🤔 but not like the ones I was having prior to ablation, every 3 or 4 months lasting over 36 continuous hours, they were awful and made me scared to go anywhere. I keep everything crossed now as I have just booked a holiday in Majorca for September and a fortnight in Cyprus in November followed by 2 weeks in Fueteventura in March 2025! Just retired 😊

[Ruza2020 in reply to Karendeena]

So, you too had extremely symptomatic attacks - same here - vicious - totally disabling. As for your booked trips, that is fantastic🙂.

[Karendeena in reply to Ruza2020]

Yes, so debilitating and scary, couldn't sleep, heart was racing at silly beats per minute, flutter with afib and nasty combination. Wiped me out for days afterwards. Was always waiting for the next episode and although the thought of ablation scared the c*** out of me my EP reminded me by saying "Just think you have just sat down on an aircraft waiting to depart for a 13 hour long haul flight and you start one of these episodes! That did it for me and although I know there is no cure I am hoping I get some respite. Not sure if I will try a glass of wine though. I had a cup of strong caffeinated coffee late at night last Sunday and that made me extra alert and I thought I had gone into afib but my heart rate was regular.My heart rate is now about 10bpm faster than pre ablation at 72/74 BPM.

How are you doing?

[AFSFUser111 in reply to Della71]

PFA is actually available in the US for at least a couple months now. Cleveland Clinic among others have been doing them so it might be beneficial to ask about it at your regional location.

[Della71 in reply to AFSFUser111]

That's great but apparently not yet being performed by our area hospitals. I'm not interested in PFA at this point as am considering the unknown long term effects. I feel the same about medication and typically won't take something new to the market.

[iris1205 in reply to Della71]

It actually has been given approval now in the USA!

[Ruza2020 in reply to iris1205]

It appears that PFA is approved in Canada as well - McGill University Health Center do PFA (according to their website).

[Smartafib]

I had Pulsed Field Ablation as part of clinical trial almost 3 years ago. I have been well with no recurrences of afib. It was a fairly easy procedure with no complications. Hope this is helpful.

[Smartafib]

Forgot to mention I am in USA. Had procedure in New Hampshire as part of Advent Clinical Trial.

[37Polly]

PFA is being done at a number of leading cardiac hospitals in US as of 2024. I am scheduled for August at Mass General. Results show quicker procedure, less risk of damage as result, and this quicker recovery. It has been used in Europe for three years.

I have waited for use in US, and have my fingers crossed. And yes, waiting has its risks, but I also know cardiac ablation is a big revenue source, and all hospitals cannot wait for the changeover. The bottom line is also a factor in advice. Make best decision for yourself. Good luck.

[Ruza2020 in reply to 37Polly]

Thank you 37Polly. Good luck with your procedure in August. Hope to hear from you at later date -after your recover. All the Best.

Z.