76-year-old Mr. Zhang had been dealing with occasional episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib), a fast, chaotic heart rhythm. Recurring symptoms surfaced in early 2025 of heart palpitations, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. However, the thought of pain from surgery held Mr. Zhang back on having a procedure.
This dilemma—wanting treatment but fearing the pain—was perfectly resolved for Mr. Zhang at Peking University International Hospital (PKUIH). It also brings new hope for safe and comfortable treatment to more AFib patients like him.
Recently, the cardiovascular medicine team at Peking University International Hospital, led by Associate Professor Yang Yao and Dr. Wang Ning, successfully completed the hospital's first PulseSelect™ pulsed field ablation (PFA) procedure—also being one of the first clinical applications of this procedure for AFib treatment nationwide since its launch. To ensure the procedure was both safe and efficient while maximizing the patient's overall experience, the cardiovascular team, with support from the nursing and anesthesia teams, performed the AFib pulsed field ablation under general anesthesia.
The patient successfully returned to sinus rhythm after the surgery, with excellent results. The successful execution of this pulsed field AFib ablation under general anesthesia highlights that Peking University International Hospital has reached an internationally advanced level in AFib treatment while also setting an industry benchmark through its multidisciplinary collaboration, ensuring the best possible experience for patients during medical procedures.
Advantages of Pulsed Field Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
AFib is one of the most common arrhythmias. According to epidemiological statistics, there are over 20 million AFib patients in China, yet the proportion of those who actually receive treatment through catheter ablation remains low. Beyond the lack of standardized screening and limited awareness about AFib treatment, many patients resist the procedure due to fears about surgical risks and intraoperative pain—a significant contributing factor.
Compared to traditional radiofrequency ablation, pulsed field ablation (PFA) offers high tissue selectivity, extremely fast ablation speed, and a more streamlined procedure. It can precisely target pathological lesions while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, significantly reducing the occurrence of complications—achieving both speed and quality.
Traditional radiofrequency ablation is usually performed only under local anesthesia, and the significant burning pain during the procedure is often unbearable for patients, leading to a poor experience. In some cases, patients in extreme pain may require additional analgesics during the procedure, which can increase intraoperative risks and prolong surgery time.
In contrast, painless AFib pulsed field ablation (PFA) under general anesthesia can greatly enhance both the patient's experience and the surgical outcome, offering a superior and more humane treatment option for AFib patients. However, performing painless pulsed field ablation under general anesthesia requires the hospital to have a multidisciplinary team composed of experienced cardiologists, anesthesiologists, and nursing staff, working together with precision and efficiency to ensure the procedure's success.
Make an appointment immediately and let our experts provide you with professional and personalized services.