Video coming soon — Dr. Luni explains pulsed field ablation in plain language
How is PFA different from traditional ablation?
Traditional catheter ablation uses heat (radiofrequency) or cold (cryoablation) to destroy tissue. These thermal approaches work well, but because heat and cold spread beyond the intended target, they carry risks of damage to nearby structures — including the esophagus, phrenic nerve, and pulmonary veins.
Pulsed field ablation uses a different mechanism entirely. Instead of heat or cold, PFA delivers precisely timed electrical pulses that cause irreversible electroporation — a process that destroys cardiac cells selectively while largely sparing other tissue types. This tissue selectivity is the key advantage.
What are the benefits of PFA?
- Reduced risk of esophageal injury compared to radiofrequency ablation
- Reduced risk of phrenic nerve injury compared to cryoablation
- Reduced risk of pulmonary vein stenosis (narrowing)
- Shorter procedure times in many cases
- Durable outcomes comparable to traditional ablation
Who is PFA used for?
PFA is currently used primarily for atrial fibrillation ablation, where it has shown excellent results in isolating the pulmonary veins — the most common source of AFib triggers. Research is ongoing for its use in other arrhythmias.
What should I expect?
The PFA procedure is similar to traditional catheter ablation from the patient's perspective. You will be sedated, catheters will be inserted through the groin, and the procedure typically takes 2-3 hours. Most patients go home the next day and return to normal activities within 1-2 weeks.
Dr. Luni performs pulsed field ablation using the FARAPULSE system (Boston Scientific) — the first FDA-approved PFA platform in the United States — as part of his AFib ablation program at Timpanogos Regional Hospital.