Overview

Boston Scientific issued a press release on July 28, 2026 announcing the findings of its commissioned report “PFA in APAC, from Promise to Practice.” The report examines electrophysiologists’ (EP) perspectives on atrial fibrillation (AFib) care and the emerging role of pulsed field ablation (PFA) across the Asia‑Pacific region.

Survey Details

The study is based on a double‑blinded online survey conducted between January and February 2026, involving 137 practicing EPs from four APAC markets: 17 from Australia, 60 from China, 30 from Japan and 30 from South Korea. The survey responses were supplemented by in‑depth interviews with five representative EPs and a review of published scientific literature. The authors note that the findings reflect the views of participants at a specific point in time and are not exhaustive of all AFib care settings in the region.

Core Findings on PFA Adoption

A striking 92 % of the surveyed EPs indicated that they expect PFA to become their preferred ablation modality for AFib within the next two years. The same respondents reported that 71 % perceive PFA to offer shorter procedure times compared with other ablation techniques, 63 % observe higher patient satisfaction after PFA procedures, and 56 % consider the learning curve for PFA easier than for alternative modalities. Moreover, 26 % of EPs stated that PFA currently accounts for more than half of the AFib ablations they perform.

Referral and Access Challenges

Despite growing confidence in the technology, 83 % of EPs reported that fewer than half of eligible AFib patients receive a referral for ablation within one year of diagnosis. The report highlights that 81 % of physicians see patients being referred only after multiple AFib recurrences, and 68 % attribute delayed intervention to limited understanding of referral pathways and treatment options among referring healthcare professionals.

Priorities and Recommendations

The report outlines several priority actions to improve patient access to advanced rhythm‑control therapies:

  • Strengthening referral pathways to ensure earlier assessment.
  • Expanding education across the entire care continuum for both referring clinicians and patients.
  • Generating additional long‑term clinical evidence to support PFA efficacy and safety.
  • Securing supportive reimbursement and policy frameworks.

A concrete policy development is noted: South Korea introduced national reimbursement for PFA on May 1, 2026, signalling progress toward broader financial coverage.

Future Outlook for AFib Care

According to the surveyed EPs, 64 % anticipate increased use of first‑line ablation for patients with paroxysmal AFib, 61 % foresee expansion of advanced ablation approaches into broader patient populations, and 57 % expect earlier intervention in asymptomatic or early‑stage AFib cases.

Quotations

Dr. Ahmed Abdelaal, Chief Medical Officer, APAC, Boston Scientific, emphasized that “growing confidence in PFA presents an important opportunity to transform AFib care, but innovation alone is not enough,” calling for continued partnership with physicians, professional societies, and healthcare systems. Professor Hung‑Fat Tse, 2nd Vice President of the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, added that “closer collaboration across clinicians, healthcare systems and industry will be essential to translating innovation into better outcomes for more patients.”

Conclusion

The report serves as a directional insight into the current state of AFib management in APAC, identifying both the enthusiasm for PFA and the systemic gaps that limit patient access. It calls for coordinated efforts among industry, clinicians, and policymakers to bridge these gaps and realize the full potential of earlier, PFA‑based intervention.