Crestwood Now Offers Pulse Field Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
12/18/2025
Crestwood Medical Center continues to expand cardiac care with the addition of pulse field ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AFib). This procedure is performed by Dr. Quinton Foster, electrophysiologist and cardiologist. Dr. Foster is an independent member of the medical staff at Crestwood Medical Center.
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation
“Atrial fibrillation is essentially a short circuit in the upper chambers of the heart,” Dr. Foster explains. “The electricity goes haywire, which can cause the heart to race, beat irregularly or feel like it’s fluttering.” Dr. Foster says atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of stroke.
Treatment Options for AFib
There are several ways to treat atrial fibrillation. According to Dr. Foster, medications are often the first step, but AFib frequently returns despite medication therapy. Cardioversion, using an electrical shock to restore normal rhythm, can stop AFib temporarily but does not prevent it from coming back.
Dr. Foster says when medications or cardioversion are not effective, catheter ablation is often recommended. Ablation targets the source of the abnormal electrical signals in the heart.
“Ablation actually goes into the heart and treats the source of the short circuit,” Dr. Foster said. “The benefit is that it’s designed to prevent atrial fibrillation from coming back.”
What Is Pulse Field Ablation?
Pulse field ablation is the newest evolution in ablation technology. Traditional ablation methods use heat (radiofrequency) or freezing (cryoablation) to destroy the heart tissue causing the abnormal rhythm. Pulse field ablation, however, uses controlled electrical energy to treat AFib.
“I like to describe pulse field ablation as electricity, as opposed to freezing or burning,” Dr. Foster explained. “It selectively targets the heart muscle we’re trying to treat, without targeting surrounding structures.”
This targeted approach allows physicians to treat the “short circuit” in the heart more precisely, potentially reducing certain risks associated with other ablation techniques.
While traditional thermal ablations are still appropriate in some cases, pulse field ablation expands the options available to physicians and patients.
Shorter Procedures and Faster Recovery
Another benefit of pulse field ablation is a shorter procedure time. The amount of time spent in the left atrium of the heart, known as left atrial dwell time, is reduced, which may lower the risk of complications related to longer anesthesia and procedure duration. Overall, procedure times are typically 20% shorter compared to traditional ablation methods.
Recovery from pulse field ablation is similar to other catheter-based ablation procedures. Patients typically go home the same day, with no major incisions. Most people can return to normal activities within a few days, following simple precautions such as avoiding heavy bending or lifting.
Advanced Care, Close to Home
According to Dr. Foster, having pulse field ablation available gives patients a range of tools needed to safely and effectively treat heart rhythm disorders, while tailoring care to each individual patient.
For patients living with AFib, pulse field ablation at Crestwood offers a new option for heart care, one that combines innovation and safety for patients.
Back