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Evaluating Pulsed Field Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Procedural Outcomes

  • Poojan Prajapati
  • , Hema S. Vemulapalli
  • , Juan F. Rodriguez-Riascos
  • , Padmapriya Muthu
  • , Komandoor Srivathsan

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: While radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoablation (CBA) are established treatments for atrial fibrillation (AF), pulsed field ablation (PFA) offers potential benefits. This study compares PFA's procedural outcomes with RFA and CBA. Methods: A PRISMA-guided systematic review searched PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Scopus through September 2024. Studies comparing PFA to RFA or CBA in paroxysmal and persistent AF were included. Results: From 1413 titles, 28 studies (7944 patients, 4–13 months follow-up) met inclusion criteria. PFA showed lower recurrence versus RFA (RR = 0.85, p < 0.05) and CBA (RR = 0.81, p < 0.01). Procedure times were shorter versus RFA (-46.39 min, p < 0.01) and CBA (-9.26 min, p < 0.01). PFA had fewer complications than CBA (RR = 0.45, p < 0.01) and thermal ablation (RR = 0.55, p < 0.01), with similar rates to RFA (RR = 0.81, p = 0.25). Fluoroscopy times were higher. Conclusion: Promising results with PFA suggest it as a viable alternative to thermal ablation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)124-142
Number of pages19
JournalPACE - Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology
Volume49
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2026

Keywords

  • atrial fibrillation
  • catheter ablation
  • pulmonary vein isolation
  • pulsed field ablation
  • thermal ablation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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