Brazilian Registry of Pulsed Field Catheter Ablation for the Treatment of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Background:

Pulsed field ablation (PFA), a new catheter-based, non-thermal ablation technique, enhances the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to conventional thermal methods. While widely adopted in Europe and the United States, its application in Brazil is recent and remains undocumented.

Objective:

This study reports the initial multicenter Brazilian experience with the pulse field ablation to treat patients with AF, emphasizing its rapid adoption and short learning curve.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of 394 consecutive procedures, performed by 60 operators across multiple Brazilian centers, was conducted. Data encompassed patient demographics, procedural metrics, imaging modalities, and ablation outcomes. A sub-analysis compared high-volume operators (n=139 procedures) with others (n=255). All statistical tests were two-tailed, with a p-value threshold of <0.05 for statistical significance.

Results:

Paroxysmal AF was predominant (62%), with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) only as the primary lesion set in 54%. General anesthesia was near-universal (98%), and no major complications occurred. High-volume centers had significantly shorter procedure and ablation times (82 ± 27 vs. 131 ± 76 minutes; p<0.001 and 33 ± 14 vs. 50 ± 33 minutes; p<0.001, respectively), alongside fewer additional lesions after remapping (7% vs. 30%; p<0.001), suggesting a rapid learning curve.

Conclusion:

Pulsed field ablation demonstrates high acute efficacy, safety, and ease of adoption in Brazil, with a notably short learning curve, as evidenced by the efficiency of high-volume operators. Long-term outcome studies are warranted.