Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Haemolysis and renal effects across pulsed field ablation systems in atrial fibrillation
- Prospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
In this large cohort, contemporary PFA systems appear safe but catheter design influences the extent of haemolysis, AKI, and myocardial injury.
Study context
- Population
- Patients undergoing pulsed field ablation for AF
- Participants
- 239 patients
- Exposure
- Pentaspline vs balloon-in-basket vs lattice-tip pulsed field ablation (PFA) catheters
- Pentasplinen = 107
- Balloon-in-basketn = 71
- Lattice-tipn = 61
- Outcome
- Laboratory markers of haemolysis, myocardial injury, renal function and haemoglobin
- Follow-up
- Pre- and 24h post-procedure
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Haptoglobin, pre vs post · 24h post-procedure
| Group | Pre | Post | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pentaspline | 99.8 mg/dL (70.2-122) | 55.7 mg/dL (23.2-91.8) | P < 0.001 |
| Lattice-tip | P = 0.074 | ||
| Balloon-in-basket | P = 0.201 |
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Myocardial injury markers · 24h post-procedure — Lattice-tip vs Pentaspline · lower with lattice-tip | P < 0.001 |
| Myocardial injury markers · 24h post-procedure — Lattice-tip vs Balloon-in-basket · lower with lattice-tip | P < 0.001 |
| Myocardial injury markers · 24h post-procedure — Pentaspline vs Balloon-in-basket | P = n.s. |
Myocardial injury markers · 24h post-procedure
- Myocardial markers increased in all groups
Safety
AKI · 24h post-procedure
- Acute kidney injury (AKI): P = 0.020
Original publication
Haemolysis and renal effects across pulsed field ablation systems in atrial fibrillation. Europace. Published 30 July 2026. doi:10.1093/europace/euag190
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it