GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands — Health City Cayman Islands has performed the Caribbean’s first FARAPULSE™ pulsed field ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation. This marks a regional milestone in advanced heart-rhythm care.
The procedure, completed July 28, gives patients in the Cayman Islands and the wider Caribbean access to an emerging, minimally invasive treatment option. Moreover, they do not need to travel overseas.
FARAPULSE™ uses pulsed electrical fields rather than heat, as in radiofrequency ablation, or cold, as in cryotherapy, to target the abnormal heart tissue that causes AFib. The tissue-selective approach is designed to help protect nearby structures, including the esophagus and phrenic nerve, while offering effective treatment.
Treating Atrial Fibrillation in the Caribbean
“Successfully completing the Caribbean’s first FARAPULSE™ procedure is a major step forward in how we treat atrial fibrillation across the region,” said Dr. Ravi Kishore, chief interventional cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Health City Cayman Islands.
“By using pulsed electrical fields rather than thermal energy, we can treat the source of AFib while helping protect nearby structures. Patients benefit from a minimally invasive procedure, rapid recovery — with most going home within 24 hours — and the opportunity to return to the rhythm and quality of life they were born with.”
FARAPULSE™ has been used to treat more than 500,000 patients worldwide, with clinical studies and real-world registries reporting:
- About 8 in 10 patients had no recurring AFib symptoms after one year.
- About 7 in 10 patients remained off rhythm medications.
- Major adverse event rates were below 1% in a registry of more than 17,000 patients.
- Patients reported high satisfaction, including 93% overall satisfaction and 94% reporting improved ability to enjoy hobbies and recreation.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart-rhythm disorder. Symptoms can include a racing heartbeat, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath and reduced quality of life. If left untreated, AFib can progress and significantly increase the risk of stroke. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve long-term outcomes.
The procedure does not require open-heart surgery. It is performed by advancing a catheter through a blood vessel in the groin and into the heart, where pulsed electrical fields are delivered to targeted tissue to block the abnormal electrical signals that cause AFib.
Health City’s introduction of FARAPULSE™ builds on its established electrophysiology and atrial fibrillation programs, led by Kishore. The hospital said it continues to expand advanced cardiac services so patients across the Cayman Islands and the wider Caribbean can access specialized care closer to home.
Patients experiencing palpitations, unexplained fatigue or breathlessness, as well as those diagnosed with AFib, are encouraged to speak with their physician about whether FARAPULSE™ may be appropriate or to book a cardiology consultation at Health City. The hospital also plans to host educational seminars to raise awareness of AFib symptoms and treatment options.
