Daijiworld Media Network - Singapore
Singapore, Jul 28: A new report commissioned by Boston Scientific has highlighted the growing burden of atrial fibrillation (AFib) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, pointing to delays in diagnosis, referral and treatment despite advances in catheter ablation technologies.
The report, titled PFA in APAC, from Promise to Practice, draws on insights from electrophysiologists (EPs) in Australia, China, Japan and South Korea to assess the adoption of pulsed field ablation (PFA), an emerging treatment for AFib.
AFib is a common heart rhythm disorder that is typically treated through catheter ablation, a procedure that targets heart tissue responsible for abnormal electrical signals. Conventional methods, including radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation, use heat or extreme cold to destroy the affected tissue. In contrast, PFA uses short, targeted electrical pulses to treat abnormal heart tissue, offering a more predictable approach while maintaining safety.
According to the report, many patients across APAC continue to experience delays in receiving appropriate care despite improvements in rhythm-control strategies and ablation technologies.
Boston Scientific APAC Chief Medical Officer Dr Ahmed Abdelaal said the challenge now extends beyond developing innovative treatments to ensuring that patients can access them in a timely and equitable manner.
The report found growing confidence among specialists in the use of PFA. Among surveyed electrophysiologists, 71 per cent said the technology reduced procedure time compared to conventional ablation methods, while 63 per cent reported higher patient satisfaction. Another 56 per cent said PFA involved a shorter learning curve than other techniques.
Doctors also noted that shorter procedures and quicker patient recovery could help improve workflow efficiency and reduce pressure on electrophysiology laboratories, while enabling patients to resume normal activities sooner.
Despite the positive outlook, adoption of PFA remains uneven across the region. While 92 per cent of surveyed specialists said they expected PFA to become their preferred ablation method within the next two years, only 26 per cent said it currently accounts for more than half of their AFib ablation procedures.
The report identified several barriers to broader adoption, including delayed referrals, workforce shortages, infrastructure limitations, reimbursement challenges and unequal patient access.
Delayed referral emerged as one of the biggest concerns. According to the survey, 83 per cent of electrophysiologists said fewer than half of eligible AFib patients were referred for ablation within one year of diagnosis. Additionally, 68 per cent cited knowledge gaps among referring healthcare professionals as a major contributor to delays in treatment.
The report recommends strengthening awareness of AFib, improving referral pathways, ensuring consistent implementation of clinical guidelines and enhancing coordination among primary care physicians, cardiologists and electrophysiologists.
It also stresses that wider access to PFA will depend on healthcare system readiness, including reimbursement policies, workforce capacity and institutional preparedness.
Dr Abdelaal said the future of AFib care in APAC would depend not only on technological innovation but also on stronger clinical pathways, improved healthcare infrastructure and greater collaboration among clinicians, policymakers, healthcare institutions and industry partners.
The report concludes that achieving the full potential of PFA will require coordinated efforts to improve access, support clinician training, strengthen referral systems and ensure eligible patients receive timely treatment across the region.