Consultant Cardiologists at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) have become one of the first teams in the country — and the first in England — to treat atrial fibrillation using a new pulsed field ablation (PFA) procedure.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder in the UK. As well as causing symptoms such as fatigue and dizziness, it significantly increases the risk of stroke and heart failure.
Consultant Cardiologists, Dr Riyaz Somani and Dr Zakariyya Vali, completed the Trust’s first successful treatment using the new Volt™ PFA System, developed by healthcare company, Abbott.
Traditional ablation techniques can carry uncommon but potentially serious risks, such as narrowed blood vessels and nerve damage, and recovery can take longer. The new technique uses thousands of electrical pulses every second to target the areas of the heart that trigger abnormal rhythms. This allows doctors to create safer lesions more quickly, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding cardiac tissue.
Stuart Crossland, 57, from Lincolnshire, was the first patient to undergo the procedure at the Glenfield Hospital and he is already seeing the benefits.
He said: “I was going into atrial fibrillation around once a month, and each time it left me feeling exhausted and very unwell. On one occasion it was so bad that I went straight to the emergency department, which is when I was put on the waiting list for this procedure.
“I was happy to be the first person to have this new treatment, even though it was quite daunting knowing I would be conscious during the procedure rather then going under general anaesthetic. The team’s kindness and reassurance made all the difference.
“The procedure itself was quick, and I can’t thank the staff enough — from the nurses and cleaners on the wards to the team carrying out the treatment. Six weeks on, I’m already back running 5k, and knowing this could stop my atrial fibrillation for years to come is incredible. I wanted to share my story so that anyone else facing this procedure can feel confident that it really can help.”
Dr Riyaz Somani explained the benefits of using the new procedure. He said: “By providing a treatment option that doesn’t require general anaesthetic, we hope to deliver atrial fibrillation ablation safely, effectively and more efficiently, allowing us to treat more patients and reduce waiting lists. Our initial experience has been overwhelmingly positive, with patients tolerating the procedure very well and excellent early success rates.”
Christopher Piorkowski, Chief Medical Officer for Abbott’s electrophysiology business, added: “We heard from clinicians that patients need an alternative to general anaesthesia during PFA without compromising outcomes. The Volt™ PFA System offers an option for patients who prefer conscious sedation, which can also support faster recovery times and shorter procedures for people living with abnormal heart rhythms.”