MedStar Health Expands Use of Innovative Technology for Safer Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation to MedStar Union Memorial Hospital

FDA-approved pulsed field ablation is a major breakthrough in electrophysiology.

BALTIMORE— MedStar Health now offers the full array of treatment options for paroxysmal (intermittent) and persistent atrial fibrillation (AFib), by expanding the use of a novel new technology called pulse field ablation (PFA), to MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. Nearly all of the two dozen patients who were first treated with PFA last month, went home the same day.

An estimated two percent of the global population has atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia that occurs when the heart’s two upper chambers experience chaotic electrical signals, leading to an irregular and often rapid heart rate. This can result in various symptoms, including palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and an increased risk of stroke.

Pulse field ablation is a safe procedure with less risk of injury to nearby structures,” said Cardiac Electrophysiologist Glenn Meininger, MD, director, Cardiac Electrophysiology Services for the Baltimore region of the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute. “Procedure time is significantly reduced. Nearly all patients treated with it are sent home the same day. It’s an advancing technology that we are happy to offer patients in the Baltimore region.”

Radiofrequency ablation (using heat), and cryoablation (using cold), have been the standard approach to treating AFib. The scar that is created targets areas in the heart tissue that trigger abnormal electrical signals. 

By comparison, PFA catheter ablation uses short bursts of energy to affect heart tissue that causes AFib. During the procedure, a catheter is threaded from the femoral vein in the thigh to the heart. A small apparatus at the tip of the catheter then delivers a high voltage pulse to inactivate heart cells that transmit the abnormal electrical signals causing AFib. The process is highly selective and efficient, avoiding nearby normal tissues.

MedStar Health first adopted pulse field ablation at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., soon after it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this year.

“Treating AFib has taken a big step forward,” Dr. Meininger added. “Offering a safer and quicker treatment option that is appropriate for nearly all patients who have AFib,  young and old, with a new onset of the arrythmia or have been dealing with persistent AFib.”

Treatment options can vary based on the severity of the condition, symptoms, and underlying causes, and may include:

• Lifestyle changes

• Medication

• Cardioversion (electric shock to sync the cardiac rhythm)

• Devices: pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator

• Surgical options such as: convergent hybrid ablation 

For more information or to schedule an appointment to learn if you are a candidate for pulse field ablation, call 410-554-6727.