Methodist Hospitals is pleased to announce treatment of its first patient with the Medtronic PulseSelect™ Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) System– a breakthrough technology that uses pulsed electric fields to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) – for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF. Recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the PulseSelect PFA system effectively, efficiently, and safely treats both paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. Methodist Hospitals is the first in Northwest Indiana and only the second in the state to treat AF with this new system.
AF is a progressive condition that affects more than 59 million people worldwide. Without early intervention, AF can progress, becoming more sustained over time. Progression of AF is associated with a higher rate of cardiovascular admissions4, heart failure5, and mortality, along with a reduced quality of life.
The PulseSelect PFA system delivers pulsed electric fields through an ablation catheter designed specifically to interrupt irregular electrical pathways in the heart that trigger AF. Current ablation technologies rely on thermal effects to target cardiac tissue and risk damage to additional collateral structures in the heart. PFA is a breakthrough ablation technology that uses pulsed electric fields to efficiently isolate the pulmonary veins for the treatment of AF. Because the mechanism of cell death is non-thermal, the risk of collateral structure damage is potentially lower.
“Atrial Fibrillation is a growing concern worldwide and we are seeing more patients that require treatment,” said Vincent Sevier, Methodist Hospitals Chief Medical Officer. “The PulseSelect PFA system – which is now FDA-approved - can provide patients with a treatment option that doesn’t cause unwanted injury to surrounding tissues like traditional ablation technologies – helping physicians put patient safety first. We are pleased to have treated our first patient with this new technology, and we look forward to helping advance the future of AF treatment by offering innovative solutions to the people of Northwest Indiana.”
