Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Incidence of brain lesions following pulsed field ablation for atrial fibrillation
Authors' conclusion
This study demonstrated an incidence of SCL comparable to previous reports in patients undergoing PVI with PFA technology. Left atrial dilation was the only factor associated with the occurrence of SCL after ablation.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with symptomatic paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation who underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with pulsed field ablation (PFA)
- Participants
- 45 patients
- Outcome
- New lesions on brain MRI
- Follow-up
- 24 hours after the procedure
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Patients with new lesions
Three patients (6.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4%-18.3%)
Further findings
Transient ischemic attack
- Transient ischemic attack with mixed aphasia, recovering within the next 24 hours
- One patient (2.2%; 95% CI, 0.1%-11.8%)
Silent cerebral lesions (SCLs)
- Silent cerebral lesions
- 2 patients (4.4%; 95% CI, 0.5%-15.1%)
Left atrial volume
- Significantly larger left atrial volume in patients with brain lesions than those without lesions
SCL resolution · follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Lesion resolution confirmed in the 2 patients with SCL
Original publication
Incidence of brain lesions following pulsed field ablation for atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm. Published 30 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →