A safer, faster method to treat some cases of cardiac arrhythmia could also be on the horizon, creating a chance for medical device firms Boston Scientific and Medtronic, in response to Piper Sandler analyst Matt O’Brien. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is essentially the most common form of heart arrhythmia, in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s estimated that in 2030, 12.1 million people in the USA will suffer from this disease. Over the past 20 years, AF has been an increasing reason for death in the USA, and the disease increases the likelihood of stroke. Although heart rate control drugs and blood thinners are sometimes used as treatment, some patients require surgery. In about half of those cases, pulsed field ablation (PFA) often is the solution. In a Thursday research note, O’Brien called pulsed field ablation “a paradigm shifting technology.” “Single” catheters in this category are expected to reach in the U.S. market this yr, while the second-generation “point-by-point” catheter could arrive next yr or next yr, in response to O’Brien. He explained that the clinical data is promising, however the upcoming trial should make it easier to match the outcomes of PFA treatment with RF and cryoablation, which are currently the standards of care. “Ultimately, we consider that PFA can be widely used in the treatment of AF (about 54% of the $4.5 billion market by 2030),” O’Brien said. O’Brien said Boston Scientific can be the outright winner of this race. By 2025, Boston Scientific is estimated to have sales of its Farapulse catheter value $454 million. Nevertheless, Medtronic appears to have a bonus over the second-generation double ablation version “by a mile,” said Piper Sandler. Medtronic’s Affera system has already been approved in the EU, and trials are underway in the US. “We expect revenue to say no this yr [low-single digits] before a rise in the mid-1925s starting in ’25,” he said. Medtronic shares are up nearly 15% because the start of the yr. O’Brien rates the stock as neutral, with a price goal of $87 which is definitely lower than today. Opinions on the stock are mixed, in response to FactSet, with only 52% of analysts recommending buying. MDT YTD mountain Medtronic stock is up nearly 15% because the starting of the yr. Meanwhile, Boston Scientific shares hit a record high on Friday Shares have gained greater than 17% this yr. O’Brien gives the stock an edge, with a price goal of $58, up almost 8%. The overwhelming majority of other analysts, around 84%, also rate buy stocks, in response to FactSet. BSX YTD mountain Boston Scientific shares are up greater than 17% this yr. O’Brien noted that several private firms compete in this market. He expects this might speed up consolidation, providing opportunities for larger AF treatment providers which have lagged behind in innovation to catch up. Others in the space include Adagio Medical, Kardium, Galvanize Therapeutic, Abbott, and Johnson & Johnson.