First day of Farapulse at IU Health Bloomington

On Thursday, Sept. 12, Indiana University Health Bloomington celebrated a significant advancement in treating atrial fibrillation (Afib). The dedicated Afib team performed their first procedures utilizing the Farapulse ablation system, marking a pivotal moment in both technology and patient care.

Atrial fibrillation affects millions, leading to irregular heartbeats that can cause severe complications. Earlier this year, the Bloomington team began a program designed specifically to help get Afib patients the treatment they need sooner in order to improve their health now and in the future.

Before September 12, ablation therapy for Afib at IU Health Bloomington was a lengthy process, taking two to three hours per patient. The Farapulse system with pulsed field ablation (PFA) technology decreases the procedure time by half, now lasting 1-1.5 hours.

Electrophysiologist John Strobel, MD, emphasized the importance of this new technology: “We are excited to now be able to offer PFA therapy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The goal of ablation therapy is to reduce or eliminate atrial fibrillation episodes to improve patients' symptoms and reduce their burden of medications. PFA allows us to continue treating patients very effectively and with very low risk but in a much more efficient manner.”

Strobel continued to explain that the procedure doesn’t use freezing (cryoablation) or burning (radiofrequency ablation), so several potential complications, such as damage to the nerves or esophagus, can be avoided.

This milestone in Afib care is particularly significant because it occurred during Afib Awareness Month (September 1 – 30), and the success of this team’s first four patients with the Farapulse system is a testament to the progress of making Indiana a healthier state.