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288 Real-world comparison of three single-shot pulsed field ablation catheters in atrial fibrillation

heartjnl · 2026-06-09 · canonical JSON source

15 visible annotations · policy: published · automated confidence ≥ 75.00%

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Background Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has been rapidly adopted for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation across the globe. Initial studies showing safety and efficacy outcomes comparable to thermal ablation modalities for pulmonary vein isolation in AF. However, data directly comparing commercially available single-shot PFA systems remains limited.Objective To compare efficacy, procedural and safety outcomes of the three single-short PFA platforms: the FARAPULSE pentaspline (Boston Scientific), the PulseSelect fixed-loop circular catheter (FLCC; Medtronic), and the VARIPULSE variable-loop circular (VLCC; Biosense Webster) PFA system.Methods Single-centre, observational registry study of consecutive patients undergoing first time AF ablation. Catheter choice was determined by operator preference, and additional left atrial ablation was performed at the operator’s discretion. Baseline characteristics, procedural parameters, and peri-procedural events up to 30 days.Results Total of 225 patients were included (75 each treated with Pentaspline, FLCC or VLCC), of whom 109 (52%) had persistent AF. A significant difference was observed in the median procedure time (70 [56 - 79] min for VLCC vs 83 [64 -104] mins for FLCC vs 101 [77 - 120] min for pentaspline, P<0.001). Fluoroscopy time and radiation dose were lowest with integrated 3D mapping VLCC workflow (9 [3- 12] min; 4 [1-7] Gy.cm, P<0.001). Acute pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in 100% of cases across all platforms. Posterior wall isolation was undertaken exclusively with PFA catheters in total of 40 patients with persistent AF (12% pentaspline, 28% FLCC, and 13% VLCC). Overall, 30-day major cardiac events were 1/255(0.4%) CVA (VLCC group), and 1/225 (0.4%) pericardiocentesis (pentaspline group). Minor vascular access site bleeding was the most frequent complication, occurring uniformly across groups (3/225, 1.3%). No death or oesophageal injuries occurred.Conclusion All PFA systems achieved comparable and effective acute pulmonary vein isolation. Posterior wall isolation was completed exclusively using a single-shot PFA catheters workflow. Fixed-loop circular architecture enables left atrial debulking and CTI without the need for adjunctive radiofrequency catheters. 3D mapping integration with VLCC reduced radiation exposure and procedure time. Overall a low incidence of serious adverse events.Abstract 288 Figure 1Comparing of procedural efficiency and safety among three pulsed field ablation (PFA) systems. Bar graphs with error bars show mean procedure time (left) and fluoroscopy time (right) for Farapulse, PulseSelect, and Varipulse. Table 2 Summary of adverse cardiac events within 30 days post ablation across three PFA catheter, demonstrating low and comparable complication rates among systemsAbstract 288 Table 1Baseline and procedural characteristics