UHealth Becomes First Health System in South Florida to Use New Atrial Fibrillation Technology
The single-catheter system offers a patient-tailored approach with minimal potential collateral damage.
Patients seeking care for atrial fibrillation (AFib) at UHealth – University of Miami Health System will now have more treatment options. UHealth’s Center for AFib recently incorporated the FDA-approved AFFERA Mapping and Ablation System, adding to its already robust therapy offerings for patients with heart rhythm disorders.
Role of Ablation Therapy
“This new ablation technology allows for more focused therapy, including rhythm disorders that are deep in the muscle,” said Raul Mitrani, M.D., professor of clinical medicine and director of cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “Some ablations can cause damage to surrounding areas, but the new technology minimizes potential collateral damage.”
Currently, AFib affects approximately 10.5 million Americans comprising 4.5% of the adult population. The progressive disease occurs when the heart’s upper chambers beat out of rhythm and is associated with serious complications, including heart failure, stroke and increased risk of death.
Treatment for AFib includes medications to control the heart rate and/or rhythm and to prevent stroke. Other therapies include cardioversion to electrically reset the heart and /or catheter ablation. Lifestyle modification, including optimizing weight, blood pressure, reduced alcohol intake, tobacco cessation and optimal treatment of other concomitant diseases, can make a huge impact on treating AFib.
“For many patients, catheter ablation, a minimally invasive procedure, is the best treatment option for AFib,” Dr. Mitrani said. “Multiple studies have shown catheter ablation is superior to medications at controlling AFib and keeping patients in normal rhythm. Some studies have shown that patients who undergo ablation are less likely to develop heart failure in the future or other cardiac complications.”
Traditionally, ablation for heart rhythm disorders, including AFib, used radiofrequency energy or cryo-energy to heat or freeze the tissue triggering the AFib. Pulse field ablation (PFA) has been available since 2024 as a method to ablate AFib without heating or freezing. However, until recently, FDA-approved pulse field ablation catheters required a separate catheter to map the electrical circuits in the heart, while the pulse field ablation catheter performed the ablation. Additionally, the FDA-approved PFA catheters have been specifically designed only for AFib ablation.
Personalized Approach to AFib
The AFFERA system created by Medtronic was developed to improve outcomes by combining high-resolution 3D mapping and ablation. This catheter can utilize either radiofrequency (heat-based) or pulsed field energy in a single device. Patients who are eligible to receive this type of ablation will depend on their condition and health profile.
“AFFERA is a first-of-its-kind tool that combines both pulsed field and radiofrequency energy in a single focal catheter, designed to treat atrial fibrillation and other atrial arrhythmias,” Dr. Mitrani said. “This technology represents a significant advancement, offering a tailored and efficient ablation approach for patients with heart rhythm disorders. I have already used this technology in patients whose arrhythmias were not effectively controlled with current methods.”
This integration enables physicians to precisely map the heart and immediately identify and remove problem areas without changing tools, resulting in more efficient procedures. Its unique sphere-shaped tip covers a larger area for more efficient lesion formation, and the system supports both radiofrequency and the newer, tissue-selective pulsed field ablation, which helps protect surrounding structures, such as the esophagus and nerves.
Raising the Standard of Care
UHealth remains at the forefront of health care innovation by integrating personalized medicine into its patient care approach. The health system has leading experts in AFib and contains the only comprehensive atrial fibrillation risk factor management programs in Florida.
Research conducted at the Miller School and its cardiac electrophysiology fellowship program, features faculty members conducting several national studies and utilizing advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, genetic testing and weight-loss pharmaceuticals. This research will lead to customized and innovative treatments for patients with abnormal heart rhythms and other electrophysiological cardiac disorders.
“We are incredibly proud of our atrial fibrillation program, which brings the latest, most advanced technologies to patient care,” said Yiannis Chatzizisis, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chief of cardiovascular medicine. “Our team takes a holistic approach — treating not just the arrhythmia but the whole patient, focusing on risk factor modification alongside world-class procedural techniques. The addition of AFFERA marks an exciting new chapter, offering a transformative dimension to AFib that enables faster, safer and more effective treatment.”
Tags: atrial fibrillation, Dr. Raul Mitrani, Dr. Yiannis Chatzizisis, Newsroom