Fairfield Medical Center becomes first in state to use Medtronic’s new ablation technology
Published April 2024
Fairfield Medical Center recently introduced pulsed field ablation (PFA) therapy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (afib). Without early intervention, this dangerous arrhythmia – which affects more than 59 million people worldwide – can worsen over time. As the condition progresses and becomes more persistent, it can negatively impact heart function, overall health and quality of life. While ablation techniques have been used to treat afib for several decades, the Medtronic PulseSelect™ PFA System offers breakthrough technology to deliver excellent results with a lower risk of complications.
For context, traditional ablation therapies rely on thermal effects to form scar tissue within the heart, interrupting irregular electrical pathways and returning the heart to its normal rhythm. Rather than using extremely hot or cold temperatures to achieve this goal, PFA deploys pulsed electric fields to efficiently target, isolate and eliminate triggers of the arrhythmia. By using non-thermal energy, this novel approach safely and efficiently treats both paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation while reducing the risk of damage to surrounding tissue and structures.
“When it comes to patient care and serving our region, Fairfield Medical Center continuously strives to adopt the latest technological innovations,” said cardiologist Alexander Hattoum, MD, who performed the first PFA procedures at FMC. “This addition is truly a game changer for the safety and speed of atrial fibrillation ablations. It will allow us to nearly double our procedural volumes, particularly for those with paroxysmal afib, and return patients to health quicker than ever before.”
Atrial fibrillation can cause symptoms like heart palpitations, fatigue and shortness of breath. Additionally, those living with the condition are five times more likely to suffer a stroke than the general population. If you or someone you know has afib, speak with your healthcare provider about treatment options, or contact Fairfield Healthcare Professionals Cardiology at 740-689-4480.