Risk of Stroke and TIA With Pulsed Field Compared With Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.
Pulsed field ablation (PFA) for atrial fibrillation shows a 0.36% higher 30-day stroke or TIA risk compared to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in a large US registry.
- Why it matters: Understanding the safety differences between PFA and RFA is crucial as PFA is rapidly adopted due to safety expectations, yet comparative data remain limited, raising concerns about potential risks.
- What they did: A prospective registry analyzed 4221 atrial fibrillation ablation procedures, comparing stroke/TIA rates within 30 days between 2144 PFA and 2077 RFA cases, using propensity score methods to adjust for patient differences.
- The result: PFA was associated with a significantly higher stroke/TIA risk, prompting calls for enhanced postmarket surveillance and further prospective studies as PFA use expands.