Which method is primarily used in PFA to kill tissue?

The correct answer is rooted in the principle of how Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) works. PFA primarily utilizes electrical energy to create a non-thermal method of ablation. In this process, short bursts of high-voltage electrical pulses are delivered to the tissue, leading to irreversible electroporation. This disrupts the cell membranes of the targeted tissue, ultimately resulting in cell death without the collateral damage that thermal methods can sometimes cause.

Understanding that PFA specifically focuses on using electrical energy helps to clarify its effectiveness for selectively ablating cardiac tissue, particularly for conditions like atrial fibrillation. This method stands out because it does not rely on heat, making it distinct among other ablation techniques that involve methods such as cryoablation (which uses extreme cold), thermal energy (such as radiofrequency), or laser methods, which primarily utilize heat or light to achieve tissue destruction. Each of these alternatives operates under different mechanisms, emphasizing that PFA's unique feature is its reliance on electrical pulses for ablation.