The Two-Phase Combined Procedure Developed at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto by Dr. Paul Angaran and Dr. Gianluigi Bisleri, this method is a Canadian first for treating complex AFib: • Phase 1 (External Robotic Ablation): A surgeon uses minimally invasive robotic instruments from outside the heart to create permanent external scar tissue and interrupt irregular electrical pathways. • Recovery Period: Patients wait a few weeks to a few months between the first and second procedures so the external heart scars can fully heal. • Phase 2 (Internal Catheter Ablation): An electrophysiologist threads small tubes through the groin and into the heart to target and scar tissue directly around the pulmonary veins. • Success Rate: For patients with long-standing persistent AFib, this combined strategy achieves a long-term success rate of 70% to 80% Have you suffered from AFib?

A new Canadian procedure could give more patients living with a heart condition another treatment option. Dr. Gianluigi Bisleri and Dr. Paul Angaran combined their expertise to treat atrial fibrillation with a two-phase approach. First, they use a minimally invasive robotic technique to perform ablations on the outside of the heart. Then, they use a catheter technique to treat the heart from the inside. Health reporter Katherine Ward looks at how the minimally invasive approach works and why doctors are encouraged by early results. Were you aware of this new procedure prior to this survey?

Canadian centers—including the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, McGill University Health Centre, and St. Paul's Hospital in B.C.—have adopted next-generation PFA platforms (such as Johnson & Johnson's VARIPULSE, Abbott's Volt, and Kardium's Globe System). PFA uses short-burst electrical pulses to selectively reset heart tissue while protecting surrounding structures like the esophagus. Were you aware of Pulsed Field Ablation?

Understanding AFib ablation helps clarify how specialists treat heart rhythm issues. See exactly how doctors use catheters to restore your normal heart rhythm. This video details the precise journey of an ablation catheter as it travels from a vein in the leg directly to the left side of the heart. If you are preparing for a procedure or trying to understand your diagnosis, this breakdown clarifies the mechanics of how the procedure addresses atrial fibrillation. You will see a clear comparison between a healthy heart rhythm and the irregular patterns associated with the condition. It also examines modern advancements like Pulsed Field Ablation, which utilizes short electrical pulses to target tissue with high accuracy. By visualizing the catheter path, you gain a better understanding of how medical teams isolate and correct the source of arrhythmias. This overview is intended for patients and caregivers seeking a realistic look at the clinical steps involved in heart treatment. Do you have heart problems?