Results of the PULSED AF trial confirm that Medtronic’s PulseSelect pulsed field ablation is safe and effective for atrial fibrillation ablation. The company will likely incorporate PulseSelect into its Affera cardiac mapping and ablation system, which will soon be available in Europe.

In the first episode of Medtech Insight’s new podcast series focused on cardiovascular technology, editor Reed Miller talks to Steven Mickelsen, one of the founders of Farapulse and Field Medical, about pulsed field ablation, an emerging technology that is changing electrophysiology.

Results from two industry-supported clinical trials published in the last week offer more support for treating atrial fibrillation with catheter ablation rather than medication alone.

Johnson & Johnson plans to buy Abiomed for $380 per share – about $16.6bn in total – plus up to $35 per share in potential commercial and clinical milestone-contingent payments. Abiomed is the clear leader in percutaneous circulatory support technology, but would benefit from J&J's reach and resources while complementing J&J's Biosense Webster electrophysiology business.