SMC Successfully Performs the Latest Atrial Fibrillation Treatment, “Pulsed Field Ablation”
Professor Young-Keun On from the Department of Cardiology at SMC has successfully performed a cutting-edge treatment for atrial fibrillation known as Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA). PFA is a procedure that uses high-energy electrical pulses to selectively and accurately eliminate only the myocardial cells generating abnormal electrical signals causing atrial fibrillation. Compared to the currently widely used treatments, such as “Radiofrequency catheter ablation” and “Cryoballoon ablation,” PFA is known to reduce the risk of damage to surrounding tissues. Furthermore, according to results from over 125,000 patients treated worldwide, the reported complication rate of PFA is 0.7%, which is significantly lower than the 2-6% complication rate of conventional methods, indicating a higher level of safety. Julian Chun, a globally renowned authority in the field of arrhythmia from the Cardiovascular Center Bethanien in Germany, observed the procedure and shared extensive clinical experience with the arrhythmia team at SMC. Professor Young-Keun On said, “With the introduction of PFA, we can now offer the most advanced treatment options for patients.” and, “By leveraging the experience of performing the first procedure in collaboration with international experts, we aim to strengthen research on advanced arrhythmia treatments and would like to create opportunities to inform the world of Korea’s medical ability for treating arrhymia.”