Saint Francis Hospital Treats First Patient with Novel Atrial Fibrillation Treatment
The breakthrough technology uses pulsed electric fields to treat the progressive cardiac condition.
HARTFORD, Conn. (November 14, 2024) – Saint Francis Hospital is proud to announce treatment of its first patient with the Medtronic PulseSelect™ Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) System. PFA is a breakthrough technology that uses pulsed electric fields to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib). Recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the PulseSelect PFA system effectively, efficiently, and safely treats atrial fibrillation, a growing cardiac concern worldwide.
“As we look to continuously improve the way we treat patients with AFib, Saint Francis is committed to utilizing the latest technological innovations that meet the needs of these patients,” said William Gionfriddo, M.D., Electrophysiologist, who performed the first PulseSelect procedure at Saint Francis. “By adding this offering to our toolbox, we look forward to helping advance the future of AFib treatment to people in the greater Hartford region.”
AFib is a progressive condition that affects more than 59 million people worldwide. Without early intervention, AFib can progress, becoming more sustained over time. Progression of AFib is associated with a higher rate of cardiovascular-related hospital admissions, heart failure, and mortality, along with a reduced quality of life. AFib can cause symptoms like heart palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Those who have AFib are five times more likely to form blood clots and suffer a stroke.
The PulseSelect PFA system delivers pulsed electric fields through an ablation catheter designed specifically to interrupt irregular electrical pathways in the heart that trigger AFib. Current ablation technologies rely on thermal effects to target cardiac tissue and risk damage to additional collateral structures in the heart. PFA is a breakthrough ablation technology that uses pulsed electric fields to efficiently isolate the pulmonary veins for the treatment of AF. Because the mechanism of cell death is non-thermal, the risk of collateral structure damage is potentially lower.
For more information about the Atrial Fibrillation Center at Saint Francis Hospital, visit TrinityHealthOfNE.org/Cardio or call 860-714-7977.
About Saint Francis Hospital
Saint Francis Hospital has been an anchor institution in Connecticut since 1897. Saint Francis is a member of Trinity Health Of New England and Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. Saint Francis Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center, is a 617-bed hospital, a major teaching hospital, and the largest Catholic hospital in New England. Other Saint Francis entities include the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center, the Connecticut Joint Replacement Institute, the Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute of Connecticut, the Smilow Cancer Hospital Yale-New Haven at Saint Francis, Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group, and Community Health and Well Being, which includes the Curtis D. Robinson Center for Health Equity, the Joan C. Dauber Food Pantry, and the Greater Hartford Family Advocacy Center. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @SaintFrancisCT