TeaTimeTreats: Dr Kler, BLK-Max Score a First With Pulse Field Ablation Procedure

 Dr Kler, BLK-Max Score a First With Pulse Field Ablation Procedure 

Landmark Achievement Ushers New Era in Advanced Cardiac Electrophysiology 

#AvinashSingh 

Milestone is significant! Indian healthcare and cardiac electrophysiology got a boost when BLK-Max Heart & Vascular Institute at New Delhi, successfully performed the first Pulse Field Ablation (PFA) procedure in India yesterday (June 4) for the treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. AF is one of the most common and potentially serious heart rhythm disorders worldwide.

The groundbreaking procedure was performed by Dr. T. S. Kler, chairman & head of the Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, under the supervision of Prof. Jasbir Singh Sra. Dr Sra is an internationally renowned cardiac electrophysiologist from Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin (USA). 

AF occurs when the upper chambers of the heart develop a chaotic electrical storm to the tune of over 500 impulses, and the heart rate becomes fast and irregular, leading to symptoms such aspalpitations, breathlessness, fatigue, dizziness, and an increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular complications.

For the last many years, ablation of Atrial Fibrillation has been performed using radio frequency (thermal energy) or cryoablation by freezing cardiac tissue. Both techniques have certain limitations and complications, such as phrenic nerve palsy causing paralysis of the left half of the diaphragm muscle, and another very rare, but potentially serious condition, involving the formation of a communication between the cavity of the left atrium and the food pipe (esophagus).

Unlike conventional thermal ablation techniques, Pulse Field Ablation utilizes a process known as irreversible electroporation, enabling highly precise tissue targeting while minimizing the risk of damage to surrounding structures such as the esophagus, phrenic nerve, and pulmonary veins.

Enhanced safety, reduced risk of collateral damage, shorter and quicker procedure time, faster 

recovery, improved  

procedural efficiency and long-term outcomes are some of the advantages of atrial fibrillation management.

India’s first PFA procedure, to quote Dr T S Kler, a Padma Bhushan recipient, marks the beginning of a transformative chapter in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and will significantly benefit patients seeking advanced rhythm management within India. 

It is being termed as a major technological leap in the field of cardiac electrophysiology given Dr. Kler’s pioneering contributions in the field in last three decades.  

Dr. Kler was one of the first physicians to establish a Radiofrequency Ablation program in India and the first to create a dedicated Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology in the country in 1993.

He also pioneered several landmark cardiac device implantations in India like Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD), Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Pacemakers (CRT-P) and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillators (CRT-D). His contributions extend beyond India, having introduced Radiofrequency Ablation programs in neighbouring countries, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Dr. Kler was also instrumental in establishing the Indian Heart Rhythm Society (IHRS), serving as its Founding President. 

Dr. Jasbir S. Sra congratulated the team at BLK-Max Heart & Vascular Institute for successfully bringing this cutting-edge technology to India and emphasized that Pulse Field Ablation is rapidly emerging as a global standard for atrial fibrillation ablation due to its unique safety and efficacy profile.

Dr Kler expressed his gratitude to Dr. Jasbir Sra (Milwaukee) for his guidance and support "in helping us initiate our PFA program. My sincere thanks also go to the Boston Scientific team in the USA, especially Zak, as well as the Boston Scientific India team for their valuable support," he added. 

Dr Kler thanked also his team comprising Dr. Sardana, Dr. Avinash, and Dr. Sumit Kumar, "for their dedication and efforts in taking our Electrophysiology program to the next level".