Gachon University Gil Medical Center surpasses 50 Pulse Field Ablation procedures

Gachon University Gil Medical Center has surpassed 50 cumulative cases of Pulse Field Ablation (PFA) for arrhythmia treatment since the procedure became covered by health insurance in May. The hospital is currently approaching 100 total cases.

Unlike traditional ablation methods that use radiofrequency or cooling energy, PFA utilizes short, high-voltage electrical pulses to treat heart tissue. This method is primarily used for atrial fibrillation and is noted for reducing thermal damage to surrounding tissues. The medical center is operating all three PFA systems currently available in South Korea: Medtronic’s ‘PulseSelect’, Boston Scientific’s ‘FARAPULSE’, and Johnson & Johnson’s ‘VARIPULSE’.

Medical staff select specific systems based on a patient’s unique cardiac structure, arrhythmia type, and history of previous procedures. The center also employs a ‘zero-fluoroscopy’ strategy, using 3D electroanatomical mapping and intracardiac echocardiography to minimize radiation exposure, which is particularly beneficial for pregnant patients or those requiring repeated procedures.