Kluang: The KPJ Kluang Specialist Hospital (KPJ Kluang) made history when it became the first hospital in the southern region to successfully perform a FARAPULSE pulsed field ablation (PFA) procedure for the treatment of heart rhythm disorders.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, KPJ Healthcare Berhad (KPJ Healthcare) stated that the procedure was led by consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist Dr Ng Kim Fong, along with the hospital's cardiac electrophysiology team, using FARAPULSE PFA technology. Unlike conventional ablation methods that utilize thermal energy, this technology delivers controlled electrical pulses to target abnormal heart tissue while minimizing impact on surrounding structures.
The technology, as noted in the statement, offers several clinical benefits for suitable patients, such as reduced discomfort, shorter procedure and recovery times, and the potential to mitigate certain procedural risks. This minimally invasive approach signifies progress in treating heart rhythm disorders and enhances access to advanced heart rhythm treatment under the KPJ Health System (KPJHS), especially for patients with complex conditions.
In addition to this achievement, the hospital also became the first private hospital in the region to perform a procedure using the Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (S-ICD). This device monitors heart rhythm and provides therapy for life-threatening arrhythmias without the need for leads inside the heart or blood vessels, further strengthening KPJ Kluang's specialized cardiac services.
KPJ Healthcare president and managing director Chin Keat Chyuan emphasized that these advancements reflect the ongoing enhancement of specialized cardiac services at the hospital. They illustrate the expansion of access to advanced heart rhythm treatment within the southern region and the network's commitment to adopting newer treatment approaches that ensure more precise and less invasive care for patients.
Dr Ng highlighted that the PFA technology supports a more targeted approach in treating heart rhythm disorders, enabling procedures to be performed with greater precision while reducing unnecessary impact on surrounding heart tissue. This evolution in cardiac electrophysiology expands treatment options and supports safer, less invasive care for suitable patients.
As the only private hospital in Kluang with a Catheterisation Laboratory, KPJ Kluang has performed nearly 1,450 cardiac procedures, underscoring its growing expertise in cardiovascular interventions and its role in expanding access to specialized cardiac care within the region. These advancements aim to reduce the necessity for patients to travel to major urban centers for advanced cardiac treatment and follow-up care.