Ellis Medicine Introduced New Heart Treatment

The Schenectady facility is now using pulse field ablation to treat patients with atrial fibrillation.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Heart Disease

A close-up view of a precision metal catheter tip in a sterile surgical environment. — Ellis Medicine has introduced pulse field ablation technology in Schenectady to treat patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, aiming to increase procedure safety. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Ellis Medicine has begun offering Volt pulse field ablation, a new technology used to treat patients with atrial fibrillation. The hospital is the first in the Capital Region to provide this procedure.

Why it matters

The technology improves procedure simplicity, safety, and effectiveness for those suffering from the irregular heart rhythm. Experts anticipate that atrial fibrillation cases will rise by five to ten percent annually.

The new ablation procedure takes approximately one hour to complete, a significant reduction compared to the six or seven hours required for similar procedures 20 years ago. Doctors at the facility treated ten patients using the technology in the last two weeks.

The players

Ellis Medicine

This facility is the first in the Capital Region to offer the new Volt pulse field ablation technology.

The details

Pulse field ablation uses high-voltage pulses to create subcellular holes in heart cell membranes, which effectively kills cells that trigger irregular rhythms. Because the procedure allows patients to return home the same day, it offers a more efficient recovery path than previous methods.

Pulse field ablation procedures took six or seven hours 20 years ago.
Ellis doctors treated ten patients with the new technology in the last two weeks.

Health Landscape

The adoption of pulse field ablation marks a shift toward faster, less invasive cardiac interventions to meet the projected five to ten percent year-over-year increase in AFib cases. This move aligns with broader efforts to improve safety and efficacy in treating the condition compared to methods used two decades ago.

Patients undergoing the procedure can expect a shorter one-hour treatment time and the ability to return home the same day. This transition offers a more convenient and efficient recovery process for residents in the Capital Region.

The takeaway

Advancements in ablation technology are significantly reducing procedure times while improving patient recovery paths. Residents should consult with their healthcare providers to determine if newer technologies are suitable for their specific cardiac needs.