Introducing the VOLT balloon to treat atrial fibrillation

The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital has started using the VOLT balloon to treat atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition that causes an irregular heartbeat. I performed the hospital’s first procedure using this system in December 2025.

The VOLT balloon delivers a treatment called pulsed field ablation (PFA). It uses short electrical pulses, rather than heat or freezing, to treat small areas of heart tissue involved in the abnormal rhythm. The aim is to stop unwanted electrical signals from triggering AF, while limiting damage to nearby tissues.

The VOLT system has a small balloon inside a basket-shaped structure. This helps the team deliver the electrical pulses to the areas that need treatment.

We have also been able to carry out this treatment using sedation, which helps patients feel relaxed and sleepy, rather than a general anaesthetic, which puts them to sleep. The team will discuss the most suitable option with each patient before the procedure.

Introducing VOLT at the Royal Devon and Exeter is part of our ongoing work to improve care for people with. Being able to use sedation has allowed us to widen our scope in treating patients with AF and PFA.