Our Summary

This study looked at a new method of treating heart tissue using pulsed electric field (PEF) therapies. These therapies use short bursts of energy to kill cells in a specific area of tissue, without relying on heat. This is important when treating the heart, because to successfully remove the problematic tissue, the treatment needs to reach through the full thickness of the heart wall.

The researchers carried out their tests on pig hearts, using different intensity settings on the CENTAURI PEF device. They used a special staining technique to see how large and deep the area of treated tissue was for each setting.

The results showed that the treated areas were between 5.7 and 8.2 mm deep, depending on the intensity of the treatment. The treated areas showed signs of cell death and damage, which was different from the areas treated using traditional heat-based methods. The heat-based methods caused cells to clot together, which was not seen in the PEF treated areas.

These findings suggest that PEF treatments could potentially be a successful way to treat heart tissue, as they can reach deep into the heart wall without causing unwanted clotting.

FAQs

  1. What is the purpose of using pulsed electric field therapies in cardiac ablation procedures?
  2. How were the treatment effect sizes identified in this study on porcine ventricles?
  3. What are the advantages of using focal monopolar PEF treatments in cardiac ablation over radiofrequency ablation controls?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about cardiac ablation is to ensure that the procedure is done using the appropriate energy settings to create transmural, contiguous ablation zones. This will help ensure successful treatment outcomes and minimize the risk of complications.

Suitable For

Patients who may be recommended cardiac ablation include those with cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter, and others. These patients may have symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, or fatigue that are not well controlled with medication. Additionally, patients with structural heart disease, such as heart failure or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, may benefit from cardiac ablation to help manage their symptoms. Patients who have failed previous treatments or are unable to tolerate medications may also be candidates for cardiac ablation. It is important for patients to discuss their specific situation with their healthcare provider to determine if cardiac ablation is the right treatment option for them.

Timeline

Before cardiac ablation:

  1. Patient undergoes initial consultation with a cardiologist to discuss treatment options.
  2. Patient may undergo various diagnostic tests such as ECG, echocardiogram, and cardiac MRI to assess the need for ablation.
  3. Once the decision is made to proceed with cardiac ablation, patient may undergo pre-procedural testing and preparation.

During and after cardiac ablation:

  1. Cardiac ablation procedure is performed, where catheters are inserted into the heart and energy is delivered to create scar tissue and block abnormal electrical signals.
  2. Patient is monitored closely during and after the procedure for any complications.
  3. Patient may experience chest discomfort, fatigue, and minor bleeding at the catheter insertion site in the immediate post-procedural period.
  4. Patient is typically observed in the hospital for a day or two after the procedure.
  5. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor the effectiveness of the ablation and address any concerns or complications.
  6. Patient may need to take medications to manage symptoms or prevent arrhythmias post-ablation.
  7. Patient may gradually resume normal activities and exercise as advised by their healthcare provider.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is cardiac ablation and how does it work?
  2. What are the potential risks and benefits of cardiac ablation?
  3. How successful is cardiac ablation in treating my specific condition?
  4. What is the success rate of cardiac ablation compared to other treatment options?
  5. How many cardiac ablation procedures have you performed and what is your success rate?
  6. What are the potential complications or side effects of cardiac ablation?
  7. How long will the recovery process be after the procedure?
  8. Will I need to take any medications or make lifestyle changes after cardiac ablation?
  9. How soon after the procedure can I expect to see improvement in my symptoms?
  10. Are there any restrictions on activities or diet following cardiac ablation?

Reference

Authors: Verma A, Neal R, Evans J, Castellvi Q, Vachani A, Deneke T, Nakagawa H. Journal: J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2023 Jan;34(1):99-107. doi: 10.1111/jce.15734. Epub 2022 Nov 16. PMID: 36335638