Pulsed field vs radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: the BEAT PAROX-AF trial

This trial compared single-procedure efficacy and safety of pulsed field ablation (PFA) vs radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with drug-resistant paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

BEAT PAROX-AF is a European, multicentre, open-label, randomized, controlled, superiority trial conducted across nine European sites. Eligible patients (aged 18-80 years) with symptomatic, drug-resistant paroxysmal AF were randomized (1:1) to either PFA (pentaspline) or RFA following the CLOSE protocol (contact force sensing catheter and electro-anatomical mapping system). The primary endpoint was the single-procedure success rate after 12 months defined as the absence of ≥30 s atrial arrhythmia recurrence, cardioversion, class I/III antiarrhythmic drug resumption after a 2-month blanking period, or any repeat ablation.

From December 2021 to January 2024, 292 patients were randomized and 289 (median age 63.5 years, 58% male) were analysed (PFA n = 145, RFA n = 144). Single-procedure success at 12 months was 112/145 (77.2%) in the PFA group and 111/143 (77.6%) in the RFA group (adjusted difference 0.9%; 95% confidence interval -8.2% to 10.1%; P = .84). Procedure-related serious adverse events occurred in 5 (3.4%) PFA vs 11 (7.6%) RFA patients (difference -3.3% [-8.4%, 1.8%]). No deaths, persistent phrenic palsy nor stroke occurred. In the RFA group, two patients had pulmonary vein stenosis >70% and 12 > 50%, two tamponades, and one oesophageal bleed.

This randomized trial performed in patients with paroxysmal AF did not demonstrate superior efficacy of single-shot PFA vs point-by-point RFA using the CLOSE protocol regarding single-procedure freedom from atrial arrhythmias, despite fewer safety events being observed in this study with PFA.