Pioneering clinical trial for AFib treatment launches at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital
The pulsed field ablation procedure holds the promise of becoming the new gold standard for treating AFib due to its safety and efficacy.
Miami, FL — HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, a 488-bed facility, and part of HCA Florida Healthcare, the largest healthcare system in the state, is the site of the first clinical trial for pulsed field ablation in Miami. A pulsed field ablation, or PFA, is a minimally-invasive intervention for treating patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, or AFib. The first procedures were performed this week at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital by Dr. Jose Osorio, the medical director of cardiac electrophysiology at HCA Florida Miami Electrophysiology, as part of several clinical research studies on the new intervention expected to be widely available in the United States soon.
In treating AFib, pulsed field ablation utilizes a controlled electric field to selectively ablate cardiac tissue that is causing irregular heartbeats. This new treatment method has been shown to minimize the risk of damage to surrounding tissues. This is because pulsed field ablation disables cardiac cells using electricity rather than extreme temperatures used in the traditional approaches. Further, the technology allows ablation procedures to be performed in less time.
AFib, the most common type of heart rhythm disorder, causes a variety of symptoms including fast or chaotic heartbeat, fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain and increases a person's risk of stroke. Ablation is one of several procedural and medical interventions used to control AFib symptoms and reduce stroke risk.
Internationally recognized in the field of electrophysiology, Dr. Jose Osorio has participated as a lead researcher in several clinical research trials conducted in the United States for this new procedure.
“It’s an exciting time in electrophysiology for both physicians and patients. Already widely adopted in Europe, the pulsed field ablation procedure holds the promise of becoming the new gold standard for treating AFib due to its safety and efficacy. We are enthusiastic about contributing to the growing body of evidence supporting this innovative option for AFib treatment,” said Dr. Osorio.