Arrhythmias & electrophysiology

Nanosecond and microsecond pulse field ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Muscle response, procedural safety, and 6-month outcomes

Heart RhythmPublished Patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent nanoPFA under conscious sedation or microsecond PFA (microPFA) under general anesthesia

Authors' conclusion

NanoPFA performed under conscious sedation provides comparable safety and similar 6-month arrhythmia outcomes to microPFA under general anesthesia, with minimal pain and muscle responses, supporting the feasibility of a conscious-sedation workflow in our center.

Study context

Population
Patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF
Participants
151 patients
Comparison
Compare the muscle response, safety, and 6-month outcomes between nanoPFA and microsecond PFA (microPFA)
  • nanoPFAn = 57
  • microPFAn = 94
Outcome
Pulmonary vein and superior vena cava isolation
Methodological detailspropensity score matching (sensitivity analysis)
  • Propensity score matching (sensitivity analysis)

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

  • Pulmonary vein and superior vena cava isolation was completed in all

Further findings

Kaplan-Meier freedom from any atrial tachyarrhythmia · 6 months

P = 0.57

Freedom from any atrial tachyarrhythmia after PSM · 6 months · propensity score matched (sensitivity analysis)

P = 0.56

Muscle contraction during nanoPFA

Absent
43.9%
Slight
47.4%
Severe
8.8%
Most frequently at the right superior pulmonary vein

Pain (VAS) and patient preference, nanoPFA

VAS 0-4 (mild/no discomfort)
71.9% [41/57]
Preferred conscious sedation
87.7%
None reported severe pain

Original publication

Nanosecond and microsecond pulse field ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Muscle response, procedural safety, and 6-month outcomes. Heart Rhythm. Published 8 May 2026. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2026.05.003

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