The ASL Napoli 3 Sud in Nola, Italy, has announced the availability of the Farapulse Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) system for treating atrial fibrillation (AFib), marking the first use of this technology in Southern Italy. This innovative ablation therapy is now being utilized in the cardiology department of the Nola hospital.
The Farapulse system employs pulsed field ablation, delivering short, rapid pulses of electrical energy to selectively target heart tissue causing irregular heartbeats. This process, called irreversible electroporation, creates tiny pores in the heart cell membranes, leading to cell death and preventing abnormal electrical signals. Unlike traditional thermal ablation, which uses heat or cold and carries a risk of damage to surrounding tissues, Farapulse minimizes such risks.
The Nola hospital is among the first to adopt Farapulse technology, having already treated over 100 patients with AFib. This system enhances patient safety and reduces radiation exposure during the procedure. Studies indicate that PFA offers long-lasting relief from AFib symptoms with minimal side effects, demonstrating comparable outcomes to thermal ablation. The Farapulse system has been used to treat over 200,000 patients and is backed by 10 years of research.