The Fast Paced Rhythm of Innovation

The Cardiology Division at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center continues to provide its patients with the most innovative services and treatments available. Recently, and for the first time at Hillel Yaffe, three of the world's most advanced ablation systems were introduced and are all based on pulsed field ablation (PFA) technology. The three systems are: Varipulse by Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic's Pulseselect system, and Farapulse from Boston Scientific. All three are at the forefront of global technology in this field today.

"PFA technology hails a true breakthrough and is gradually replacing the traditional thermal ablation method that relies on heating or freezing," said Prof. Eran Leshem, Head of the Arrhythmia and Pacemaker Unit that is part of the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center’s Cardiology Division.

Prof. Leshem and Dr. Margolis performing an ablation procedure in Hillel Yaffe Medical Center’s Cardiology Division

"While thermal ablation methods are based on temperature changes that destroy abnormal tissue, PFA technology uses short, targeted electrical pulses to create holes in the heart cell membrane, leading to cell death. This way, PFA is cardio-selective, meaning it affects only the heart muscle cells responsible for the arrhythmia – without harming other tissues such as nerves, blood vessels or other adjacent muscles. The shift to PFA allows us to perform ablations with unparalleled precision and with an outstanding safety profile. This is a fast, effective treatment, and most importantly – safer for patients, with high success rates and lower morbidity after the procedure. Another important advantage is the shorter procedure time and faster patient recovery, which is important both in terms of patient quality of life and for the hospital's inpatient system," Prof. Leshem added.

The new systems that have been implemented are designed primarily for treatment of atrial fibrillation, the world's most common heart rhythm disorder, which is also experienced by young people and increases in frequency with age. These procedures are performed in a specially designated room by the unit's staff: Prof. Leshem and Dr. Gilad Margolis.

The three different systems introduced at Hillel Yaffe are among the first of their kind in the country, positioning the medical center at the forefront of cardiology in Israel and providing residents of the region with access to some of the world's most advanced treatments, close to home.