Kolkata: A 72-year-old Kolkata woman with a nearly 20-year history of recurrent palpitations has undergone Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) for atrial fibrillation at Manipal Hospital, EM Bypass.
According to the hospital, the procedure was performed using Boston Scientific’s FARAPULSE™ Pulsed Field Ablation System and is the first such use of the technology for atrial fibrillation at the hospital in Eastern India.
The patient, identified as Sima Dey (name changed), a homemaker from New Garia, had initially experienced occasional episodes of palpitations. However, her condition became more severe over the past seven months. During this period, she was admitted to hospital three times after episodes complicated by heart failure. One episode also resulted in loss of consciousness.
Medication to control her abnormal heart rhythm failed to prevent the recurring episodes. Doctors subsequently recommended Pulsed Field Ablation as a treatment option for her atrial fibrillation.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Ashesh Halder, Consultant – Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, with support from Dr. Dilip Kumar, Director and Senior Consultant – Cardiology, at Manipal Hospital, EM Bypass.
Pulsed Field Ablation is a non-thermal technique used to treat certain abnormal heart rhythms. Instead of using heat or extreme cold, the procedure delivers short electrical pulses to targeted areas of heart tissue. In atrial fibrillation, doctors commonly use the technique to isolate the pulmonary veins, which can be a source of abnormal electrical signals that trigger the irregular rhythm.
Traditional ablation procedures include radiofrequency ablation, which uses heat, and cryoablation, which uses extreme cold. PFA uses electrical energy instead.
The procedure was completed successfully and the patient was discharged two days later. She is currently recovering at home.
Dr. Ashesh Halder said PFA provides another treatment option for patients with atrial fibrillation and allows doctors to target areas responsible for abnormal electrical activity without relying on thermal energy.
Dr. Dilip Kumar said the patient’s symptoms had become increasingly severe despite medication and had resulted in repeated hospitalisations. PFA was considered an appropriate option in her case.
The case was presented at a press conference at Manipal Hospital, EM Bypass, in the presence of senior cardiologists, including Dr. Rabindra Nath Chakraborty, Head of the Department of Cardiology; Dr. Debopriyo Mondal, Consultant – Interventional Cardiology; and Dr. Rana Rathor Roy, Consultant – Interventional Cardiology and Lead Consultant – Clinical Cardiology.
The hospital said the procedure expands the cardiac rhythm treatment options available at its EM Bypass facility for patients with atrial fibrillation.
