Growing physician confidence in pulsed field ablation highlights the need to strengthen referral pathways, education and healthcare system readiness

- Boston Scientific  revealed findings from a new report showing that, while physicians in Asia Pacific (APAC) increasingly view pulsed field ablation (PFA) as the future of atrial fibrillation (AFib) treatment, many patients in the region remain unable to benefit due to gaps across the care pathway.

PFA in APAC, from Promise to Practice was commissioned by Boston Scientific to better understand physician perspectives on AFib care and the evolving role of PFA in APAC. Findings demonstrated strong confidence in PFA as an emerging ablation technology, with 92% of the surveyed physicians expecting it to become their preferred ablation modality within the next two years.

However, 83% reported that fewer than half of eligible patients with AFib are referred for ablation within one year of diagnosis, highlighting the need for stronger education, care coordination and system readiness to help patients access advanced heart rhythm control therapies such as PFA sooner.

AFib is becoming a growing healthcare concern across APAC, with tens of millions of people - higher than has been calculated for other global regions - living with the condition. AFib is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart failure and premature death. As the burden of AFib continues to grow, physicians who contributed to the report pointed to the importance of ensuring that advances in treatment translate into meaningful benefits for patients and healthcare systems alike.

"APAC faces a growing burden of AFib at a time when healthcare systems are under increasing pressure to deliver high quality care more efficiently," said Dr. Ahmed Abdelaal, chief medical officer, APAC, Boston Scientific. "Growing confidence in PFA presents an important opportunity to transform AFib care, but innovation alone is not enough. Findings from this study reinforce the need for industry partners to continue partnering with physicians, professional societies and healthcare systems to expand education, generate evidence and support the adoption of best practices that help more patients benefit from earlier intervention."

The report identified several priorities to help more patients benefit from advances in AFib care, including improving referral pathways, strengthening education across the care continuum, generating additional long-term evidence and expanding access through supportive reimbursement and policy frameworks.

"Across APAC, there is growing recognition that AFib care must shift from a reactive approach to one focused on earlier intervention and proactive management," said Professor Hung-Fat Tse, 2^nd vice president, Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society. "As evidence and clinical experience with PFA continue to grow, closer collaboration across clinicians, healthcare systems and industry will be essential to translating innovation into better outcomes for more patients."

The report is intended to support continued discussion on how AFib care is delivered across APAC, including the practical steps that may help appropriate patients receive timely assessment and treatment.