PFA delivers short, precise bursts of electrical energy to selectively ablate tissue. Multiple trials have shown PFA is generally faster to and safer than radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation.

Biosense Webster leads the global cardiac ablation market but it is behind Medtronic and Boston Scientific in the development of PFA, which is expected to eventually dominate the ablation market.

Boston Scientific launched its Farapulse PFA system in Europe and 2021; the US Food and Drug Administration approved Farapulse on 31 January ([A# MT154388])

Medtronic’s PulseSelect earned a CE mark in November 2023 and became the first PFA system to earn FDA approval in December 2023. Abbott and Field Medical are among the other companies developing PFA technologies. (Also see "First PFA In The US: FDA Approves Medtronic’s PulseSelect For AF Ablation" - Medtech Insight, 14 December, 2023.)

Analysts predict that PFA will rapidly displace other cardiac ablation energy sources, taking about half the market in the next three years. (Also see "News We’re Watching: Boston Scientific Updates PFA Progress, Novel Vibrating Pill For Obesity, And More" - Medtech Insight, 2 January, 2024.)

Updated: J&J Moves Closer To PFA Approval; New Data Presented At Boston AF

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