Mercer Times

A team of cardiology specialists at Capital Health Regional Medical Center has successfully performed the first pulsed field ablation in the region. This procedure, part of Capital Health's Cardiac Electrophysiology Program, offers a new approach to treating symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AFib) that does not respond to medication. Capital Health is the first facility to provide this treatment in Mercer and Lower Bucks counties.

Dr. Scott Burke, medical director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist with Capital Health Cardiology Specialists, explained the benefits of this new technique: “Traditional radiofrequency ablation uses electrical energy delivered through a catheter (a long, thin tube) to destroy areas in the heart that typically trigger AFib. Sometimes this type of ablation can cause damage to surrounding tissues,” he said. “We’re excited to offer our patients this new pulsed field technology that uses non-thermal electrical energy to precisely treat the affected cardiac tissue in less time than traditional thermal ablations and with lower risk of harming surrounding healthy structures.”

Atrial fibrillation is characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the heart's upper chambers, which can reduce pumping efficiency and increase risks for stroke, heart failure, and other complications. As AFib cases rise, pulsed field ablation provides a safer and more effective treatment option for patients at Capital Health’s Electrophysiology Program.

The Cardiac Electrophysiology team at Capital Health works alongside experts from Capital Health Cardiology Specialists to perform procedures like pulsed field ablation. These efforts aim to manage conditions involving abnormal electrical activity in the heart.

For appointments or office locations, visit capitalhealthcardiology.org.