Today, NICE recommended pulsed field ablation (PFA) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm disorder, affecting around 2% of UK adults.
As AF becomes more prevalent, driven by factors such as age, heart disease and obesity, safer and more effective treatments are increasingly needed. Unlike traditional thermal ablation, which uses heat or cold, PFA uses electrical energy to target heart tissue more precisely, potentially reducing the risk of damage to surrounding structures.
The NICE recommendation was based on evidence from clinical trials and published studies showing that PFA is effective in achieving acute treatment success, reducing recurrence of AF and the need for repeat procedures, and improving patient quality of life. These outcomes were supported by physiological assessments and composite scores of treatment success.
We spoke with Dr Richard Bala, Consultant Cardiologist at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital about his experience with PFA and how this new NICE guidance could shape the future of atrial fibrillation care in the UK.
Disclosures: Dr Bala has no financial interests to declare in relation to this video. No fees or funding are associated with this content. This video was produced in collaboration with Arrhythmia Alliance.
Learn more about Arrhythmia Alliance here.
Cite: Pulsed field ablation receives NICE backing for atrial fibrillation. touchCARDIO.com. 10 July 2025.
SIGN UP to touchCARDIO!
Join our global community today for access to thousands of peer-reviewed articles, expert insights and learn-on-the-go education across 150+ specialties, plus concise email updates and newsletters so you never miss out.
