Atrial Fibrillation Treatment With PFA (Pulsed Field Ablation) Technology Now Available in Indonesia

Jakarta, December 28, 2024

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Indonesia. In addition to coronary heart disease, heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) also make a significant contribution. The most common arrhythmia in the community is atrial fibrillation (AF). The number of people with AF in Indonesia is estimated to exceed three million, with prevalence rising as people get older.

Atrial fibrillation is a condition in which the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat very fast and irregularly. Normally, the heart beats about 60 to 100 times per minute when we are relaxed, but in AF, the atria can beat more than 400 times per minute. This condition increases the risk of blood clots and heart failure. The blood clots that form can lead to a stroke. Patients with AF have a 4 to 5 times higher risk of stroke than patients without AF. In addition, the extremely fast and irregular beating of the atria increases the risk of heart failure and, of course, increases mortality in AF patients.

The treatment of atrial fibrillation includes drug therapy (medication), risk factor control, and catheter ablation. In patients who do not respond to medication, catheter ablation may be considered to help prevent the heart’s pumping function from worsening (heart failure) and to lower the risk of stroke.

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure that uses a catheter inserted through a blood vessel in the thigh and advanced into the heart to identify and deactivate the source of the arrhythmia. In general, catheter ablation can be performed using thermal or non-thermal ablation. Thermal ablation can use radiofrequency energy, which is heat energy used to create lesions, or cryoenergy (cryo), which uses cold energy to freeze tissue.

Meanwhile, the non-thermal ablation technology that is now widely used around the world is pulsed-field ablation (PFA). This technology works through a process called electroporation, the delivery of short electrical pulses that open pores in cell membranes so that the targeted tissue can be destroyed selectively, with a lower risk of affecting other tissue. Because of this selective nature of the therapy, ablation with PFA can be completed more quickly and is one of the safe options for patients.

Heartology Cardiovascular Hospital began using Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) technology in the treatment of atrial fibrillation in December 2024. The procedure was performed on December 27, 2024, on a 65-year-old patient from West Sumatra who had lived with AF for a long time. His main complaints were palpitations, chest discomfort, and tiring easily. The patient had received AF treatment in his home region for several years, but his arrhythmia (AF) had not resolved. He finally decided to look for further solutions and was referred by his doctor to Heartology.

“As a hospital that focuses on the treatment of cardiovascular disease, we remain committed to bringing new technology to patients. With this technology, we strive to provide a better care experience for every patient,” said dr. Sunu Budhi Raharjo, Sp.JP(K), PhD, an arrhythmia specialist at Heartology.

PFA technology adds to the catheter ablation options for patients with heart rhythm disorders. Whether this procedure is suitable is assessed by a doctor based on each patient’s condition.