Sentara adopts Farapulse Pulsed Field Ablation system for Atrial Fibrillation

Sentara Cardiology Specialists has adopted a new technology for controlling atrial fibrillation (AF) or irregular heartbeat. The Farapulse™ Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) system from Boston Scientific uses electrical pulses, rather than heat or cold, to ablate the heart tissues causing irregular heart rhythms. It was fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January. 

“We have added Farapulse to our battery of treatment options for a select group of AF patients who will benefit from this new technology,” said Philip Gentlesk, M.D., an electrophysiologist with Sentara Cardiology Specialists. “Farapulse is safer for patients who meet criteria for its use versus thermal ablation.” 

During thermal ablation, a catheter, inserted into the heart, generates extreme heat or cold to destroy nerves and tissues causing abnormal heart rhythms. The Farapulse system uses electrical pulses instead of temperature to accomplish the same goal of restoring normal heart rhythms.

One year of data from the pivotal ADVENT clinical trial found Farapulse was as safe and effective as thermal ablation. Additional field data from more than 17,000 patients showed no reports of nerve damage, pulmonary vein stenosis or injury to the esophagus.

Farapulse is currently in use at three Sentara hospitals in Hampton Roads: Sentara Heart Hospital in Norfolk, Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and Sentara CarePlex Hospital in Hampton.

“A lot of AF patients still benefit from thermal ablation, but Farapulse is a great new option,” said Dr. Gentlesk.