Ground-breaking pulsed field ablation technologies enhance the treatment of atrial fibrillation, with safer and more effective procedures now available and rapidly expanding around the world.
Atrial fibrillation is a serious condition that affects the lives of more than 60 million people1 around the world, disrupting the rhythm of their hearts — and often their day-to-day activities, too.
People living with atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, can experience symptoms like heart palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath. And while those issues can be a distressing part of daily life, the long-term consequences are even more concerning. As the disease progresses, the chance of serious complications including heart failure, stroke, and risk of death increases.2-5
For years, AFib treatments have included antiarrhythmic medications, but they don’t work for everyone and can come with unwanted side effects. While traditional ablation treatments using thermal energy are safe and effective, pulsed field ablation, also known as PFA, offers a promising alternative for doctors and people living with cardiac arrhythmias.
With two FDA-approved PFA options, Medtronic is leading the way.
The Affera™ mapping and ablation system with Sphere-9™ catheter is an all-in-one, HD-mapping and ablation treatment that can switch between pulsed field and radio frequency energy delivery. The first-of-its-kind system can improve physician workflow, eliminating the need for multiple catheters during a procedure, while providing excellent safety for patients. And the Medtronic PulseSelect™ system, the first FDA-approved PFA technology, is backed by more than 15 years of robust preclinical and clinical research.
These two innovations earned Medtronic a spot on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list for 2025.
AFib occurs when the heart’s electrical signals become disorganized, resulting in rapid and irregular heartbeats. Pulsed field ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses short bursts of non-thermal electrical energy to create lesions in heart tissue, which help to disrupt these irregular signals. Unlike traditional ablation techniques, PFA uses electroporation — a process in which electrical pulses form tiny pores in the membranes of heart cells. This disruption causes scar tissue to form, blocking the abnormal electrical pathways and allowing the heart to return to its normal rhythm.
For many people living with cardiac arrythmias, the hardest part isn’t just the irregular heartbeat — it’s the lack of predictability and fatigue that can chip away at daily routines. With AFib under control, people report fewer symptoms, greater energy, and the freedom to live their lives how they want, whether that’s going for walks, playing with grandkids, or meeting up with friends. It’s not just about fixing a rhythm — it’s about restoring a sense of stability and confidence.
Not all patients will experience similar results. Talk to your doctor to see if this therapy is right for you.
Another benefit of pulsed field ablation is that it delivers energy without heating surrounding tissue. This reduces the risk of collateral damage, making the procedure safer compared to traditional methods. In fact, the Affera™ mapping and ablation system with Sphere-9™ catheter boasts some of the lowest complication rates6,7 among any atrial fibrillation tech to date.
The introduction of pulsed field ablation is exciting news for both physicians and patients. These technologies represent a paradigm shift in how we treat AFib, offering a safer and more efficient approach that physicians are rapidly adopting.”— Rebecca Seidel, Senior Vice President and President of Cardiac Ablation Solutions at Medtronic
In addition to its superior safety profile, PFA stands out for its efficiency. It can create effective lesions more quickly than traditional methods, which leads to shorter procedure times and faster recovery.6-8 This could improve the overall experience for patients, making PFA an appealing option.
The Affera™ mapping and ablation system is also equipped with sophisticated algorithms that adjust energy delivery in real time, optimizing the treatment.
Moreover, it can treat multiple areas of the heart at once — an important feature for patients with persistent AFib, where multiple sites may need to be addressed.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common and undertreated of heart rhythm disorders, and people living with it often feel like their body has a mind of its own. Episodes often occur without warning, making routine tasks difficult and leaving people with a constant sense of uncertainty. Pulsed field ablation offers a significant step forward, treating a wider range of patients in a way that is more effective, more efficient, and safer than the standard of care.
“At Medtronic, we have a 75-year tradition of bringing disruptive innovation to market, guided by our Mission and commitment to meeting the needs of patients,” Seidel said. “Medtronic is shaping the future of arrhythmia treatment today.”
Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and, if you have atrial fibrillation, which treatment option might be best for you. For additional information see the Cardiac Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation page.
Affera™ mapping and ablation system
PulseSelect™ pulsed field ablation system
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