Asia Pacific Faces Growing AFib Crisis, Report Urges Earlier Treatment

Atrial fibrillation (AFib), characterized by an irregular heartbeat, poses a growing threat across the Asia Pacific region. As populations age and conditions like hypertension, obesity, and diabetes become more prevalent, the number of individuals affected by AFib is expected to increase, according to Dr. Ahmed Abdelaal, Boston Scientific’s chief medical officer for the region.

Beyond the risk of stroke, heart failure, and premature death, AFib significantly diminishes a patient's quality of life. It impacts energy levels, the ability to work, daily confidence, and emotional well-being. These pressures are highlighted in a new Boston Scientific report, "PFA in APAC, from Promise to Practice."

The report, which draws on insights from heart rhythm specialists in Australia, China, Japan, and South Korea, advocates for earlier diagnosis, prompt referrals, and improved access to advanced treatments. It focuses on pulsed field ablation (PFA), a newer technique using electrical pulses to target heart tissue responsible for abnormal rhythms. PFA shows comparable effectiveness to traditional radiofrequency and cryoablation methods, with potential advantages like shorter procedure times and reduced impact on surrounding tissues.

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As populations age and cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes continue to rise, the number of people affected is expected to grow.

Electrophysiologists surveyed in the report expressed strong confidence in PFA, with 92% expecting it to become their preferred ablation method within two years. However, its adoption rate is considerably lower, with only 26% of specialists reporting that PFA constitutes over half of their AFib ablation cases. This gap underscores the report's central finding: confidence in a treatment does not guarantee its timely availability to eligible patients.

Timing remains a critical issue, as 81% of surveyed electrophysiologists noted that patients are typically referred for ablation only after experiencing multiple AFib recurrences. Furthermore, 83% indicated that fewer than half of eligible AFib patients receive timely referrals for ablation, highlighting a significant delay in accessing potentially life-altering treatments.

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AFib can also significantly affect a patient’s quality of life, including their energy levels, ability to work, confidence in daily activities and emotional well-being.