Spire St Anthony's Hospital uses innovative catheter for atrial fibrillation treatment

• The combined FARAWAVE™ catheter and module mark the next generation of cardiac pulsed field atrial fibrillation ablation procedures

Spire St Anthony’s Hospital became the first private hospital in the UK to treat a patient living with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation by using the innovative FARAWAVE™ catheter and its accompanying FARAVIEW™ software module.

Atrial fibrillation occurs when the top two chambers of the heart, the atria, beat too fast and with an irregular rhythm. Atrial fibrillation, the most common type of arrhythmia, can decrease the heart’s pumping efficiency, which can cause blood cells to pool and stick together, forming clots in the heart, and lead to stroke. People with atrial fibrillation have a higher risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications than those with normal heart rhythms.

Previously, electrophysiologists might use a catheter to study the heart's electrical patterns and plan treatment for each patient, before carrying out a cardiac pulsed field ablation procedure with a different catheter. The FARAWAVE™ catheter can be used in partnership with the FARAVIEW™ software module, allowing cardiac mapping and pulsed field ablation therapy to be done with a single catheter, reducing the need for more than one device, increasing efficiency and producing less waste.

Trained staff at Spire St Anthony's Hospital using the FARAWAVE™ technology

Using FARAWAVE™ technology, Spire St Anthony’s Hospital patients benefit from higher levels of precision and safety as the system targets specific heart tissue and minimises damage to surrounding tissue. The enhanced visualisation features of the system also help lower the use of fluoroscopy, resulting in reduced radiation exposure for patients.

FARAPULSE™ technology has already been used in more than 200,000 cardiac ablation procedures with atrial fibrillation patients around the world. This technology allows for shorter procedure times and consequently results in less time spent under anaesthetic for the patient. This reduces the risk of anaesthetic complications and results in an improved quality of life.

Dr Riyaz Kaba, Consultant Cardiologist at Spire St Anthony’s Hospital, said: “We are pleased to have performed the first cardiac ablation procedure in the UK using the FARAWAVE™ NAV PFA Catheter and FARAVIEW software module at Spire St Anthony’s Hospital. The number of people living with atrial fibrillation is on the rise, and safe, effective technologies like this are needed to assist physicians in treating more patients, reducing complications, and benefiting overall public health.”

Spire St Anthony's Hospital Cardiology and Theatre Team