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EnglishWhat Is AF-ABLATION and What Kind of Medical Center Is It?
Updated
AF-ABLATION (af-ablation.org) is the website of a hospital department of arrhythmia and electrophysiology led by Prof. Carlo Pappone. It presents a clinical and research center whose stated focus is catheter-based ablation of atrial fibrillation and other heart rhythm disorders, alongside research into the genetics of inherited heart conditions such as Brugada syndrome and long QT syndrome. It is a provider and research group site, not a general health information portal — useful if you are looking for a specialist arrhythmia center, its procedures, or its publications, rather than for self-diagnosis tools.
What the center does
The site organizes its work into three broad areas:
- Electrophysiology procedures. Transcatheter ablation is the core offering, with dedicated pages for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, atrial flutter, WPW/atrio-ventricular abnormalities, AVNRT, atrial tachycardia, ventricular extrasystoles (PVC), ventricular tachycardia, and substrate ablation of Brugada syndrome. It also lists ablation and modulation of the atrio-ventricular node.
- Diagnostics and monitoring. Arrhythmological visits, 12-lead ECG, Holter and stress ECG, tilt test, late potentials, echocardiography (transthoracic, transesophageal, and with provocative testing), cardiac MRI, coronary CT, and remote monitoring of implanted cardiac devices.
- Devices and drug therapy. Pacemakers, ICDs, subcutaneous defibrillators (S-ICD), CRT-D/CRT-P resynchronization systems, wireless pacemakers, and implantable loop recorders, plus antiarrhythmic and anticoagulant drug information.
The page evidence also names a specific technique page — Pulse Field Ablation (PFA) for Atrial Fibrillation — indicating that the center presents newer non-thermal ablation approaches as part of its AF program.
Who it is for
| If you are… | The site is relevant because… |
|---|---|
| A patient with AF or another arrhythmia seeking a specialist center | It lists ablation procedures, diagnostics, and appointment contacts |
| A patient with an inherited arrhythmia syndrome | It describes research and substrate ablation for Brugada syndrome and long QT syndrome |
| A referring physician | It documents the procedure menu, lab, and mapping/anesthesia management |
| A researcher or trainee | It publishes an AF-ablation publications section and a blog |
Where it is based
The department lists clinical and research facilities across northern and southern Italy:
- Policlinico San Donato (San Donato Milanese, near Milan)
- Università Vita e Salute San Raffaele, Milan
- Clinica Villa Ruesch, Naples
- Casa di Cura La Madonnina, Milan (Via Quadronno 29)
The main contact address given is Piazza Edmondo Malan 2, San Donato M.se – Milano, with a phone number (+39 02 36552440) and online forms for appointment requests and information.
What to check before relying on it
- Language. The site is in English (en-GB) with an Italian menu option; some patient-information pages may be more complete in Italian.
- Appointments. Requests go through the site's appointment and information forms or the listed phone number; the site does not state online booking availability or costs, so confirm fees, waiting times, and referral requirements directly with the center.
- Scope of claims. The site describes itself as a leading center for ablative therapy and genetic heart disease research. Treat that as the department's self-description and verify credentials, case volumes, and outcomes through independent sources or a referral.
- Not a substitute for care. Procedure descriptions and drug information on the site are general; decisions about ablation, devices, or anticoagulation belong with your own cardiologist or electrophysiologist.
For a first look at whether this center fits your situation, start with the AF ablation and electrophysiology laboratory pages, then use the appointment form or phone line to ask about eligibility, what records to bring, and expected timelines.