The Electrophysiology and Cardiac Arrhythmias Unit of the Heart Institute (iCor) of the Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital (HUGTiP) has successfully performed the first procedure in Catalonia with a state-of-the-art technology ablation system that combines, in a single catheter, the capacity for three-dimensional mapping and ablation using radiofrequency (heat) and electric field pulse energy ( PFA, Pulsed Field Ablation ).
The procedure was carried out by the team of electrophysiologists and nurses from the Heart Area of HUGTiP, within the Cardiology Service of iCor. This milestone represents a step forward in innovation, safety and efficiency in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
This new system allows the treatment of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation and typical and atypical atrial flutter, and its use in ventricular tachycardia is being studied, with very promising initial results.
The procedure involves introducing a catheter with a spherical mesh tip into the heart via a vein, allowing for simultaneous three-dimensional mapping of the cardiac anatomy and ablation of the areas responsible for the arrhythmia. Two energy sources—radiofrequency and pulsed field—can be delivered through this catheter, which simplifies the procedure and may improve its safety.
“It is the first technology that integrates mapping and ablation with two types of energy in a single catheter, reducing exchanges and simplifying the procedure. In addition, the energy pulses are very short, which significantly reduces the time of the intervention ,” explains Dr. Roger Villuendas, head of the Arrhythmia Unit.
Another notable advantage is its ability to generate more consistent and controlled lesions in depth, thanks to the design of the catheter and the combination of the two energies . This feature improves the effectiveness and durability of lesions to the cardiac tissue, with a lower risk of damage to adjacent structures, such as the esophagus or pulmonary veins.
Overall, this new system optimizes workflow, reduces intervention time and can facilitate a faster and more complication-free recovery, consolidating the Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital as a pioneering center in advanced cardiac ablation technology.
