Julian Chun

Hear from #HRS2026 #SciComms correspondent @veramasloo as she interviews @jongichun about late-breaking clinical trial "A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Global Study Comparing Pulsed Field Ablation versus Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapy as a First Line Treatment for Persistent AFib" (AVANT GUARD). Learn more about the LBCTs here: bit.ly/4efh0PE

#EHRAroundTheGlobe is still at #HRS2026 in Chicago 🇺🇸 @jongichun joins us for a conversation on one of the hottest topics in EP right now — the PFA Summit and the newly released PFA consensus document. Pulsed field ablation is reshaping how we approach AF ablation. Here's where the science and the guidelines stand today 👇

More than 10 years ago Oussama and I started our journey of investigation, trying to the define the optimal first treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation.  Separately we pursed randomised studies in populations with treatment-naive paroxysmal AF.  Five years ago we presented our RCTs in the paroxysmal AF population, which ended up sitting side by side in the same issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.  nejm.org/doi/full/10.10… nejm.org/doi/full/10.10… Since then we have been working together to examine the same question of optimal initial therapy, but instead looking at patients with more advanced forms of atrial fibrillation.  Today Oussama presented the results of the AVANT-GUARD study, which definitively demonstrated the value of initial catheter ablation in the treatment naive persistent AF population. Like EARLY-AF, AVAT GUARD used implantable cardiac monitors to evaluate arrhythmia endpoints   Like EARLY-AF - initial catheter ablation reduced recurrences in AVANT GUARD by about 50%, which was about 25% in absolute terms. To put this another way, only 4 patients need to be treated with ablation to prevent a recurrence of arrhythmia.  However, binary recurrence doesn’t tell the whole story. Because we had loop recorders we were able to assess the time spent in AF (or AF burden). In this regard significantly more patients had none or negligible burden after ablation (<0.1%), with significantly more AAD treated patients having a very high burden (>5%). This is important as AF burden is associated with clinical outcomes such as hospitalisation. In terms of risk - the rates of any adverse event or serious adverse event were comparable between randomised arms. Highlighting that persistent AF patients with high CHADS-VASc score are high risk irrespective of treatment provided. This is important as we reflect on treatment options as part of shared decision-making. Congratulations to Oussama for the presentation and leadership, to the co-investigators and study sites for their participation and dedication, and a huge thank you to the Boston Scientific team for their support and commitment to advancing science.  To end, I want to acknowledge and thank Oussama for this shared journey, I’m grateful for our collaboration and friendship, and look forward to what we will do next.

📍Happening now in Rhythm Theater 1 Advancing Single Shot Technology @HRSonline @KeepInRhythm #HRS2026 #SciComms

Early risers at #EHRA2026 — the Pulse Day Run delivered! Great atmosphere, great company, and a morning reminder of why we do what we do. 💓 Check out the video 👇 @escardio @jongichun @SergeBoveda

One of the most important trials of #ehra2026 Next do it for ICE in AF ablation

The EHRA Board met today — and the energy in the room said it all. #EHRA26 is here! ✨ This congress carries the fingerprints of so many dedicated Committee Chairs and members who have poured their time and expertise into making it extraordinary. We have some exciting surprises lined up — stay tuned. To every Chair and Committee member: thank you. This is your moment too. 🙏

Carrera Pulse Day en el Congreso #EHRA26 El Dr. @nlcabanillas participó junto a colegas de distintas sociedades científicas @EHRAPresident @jongichun

Thank you for being part of #EHRA2025 — what an incredible conference! We already can’t wait to welcome you to #EHRA2026 in Paris, April 12–14th. Wishing everyone a safe journey ✈️ — see you next year in the City of Light!

The countdown to #EHRA26 begins! ⌛ The truck is loaded and on its way to Paris 🇫🇷 Watching preparations for #EHRA26 come to life is one of those moments that reminds you how much goes into making a congress like this happen. Behind every session, every stage, and every handshake in the hallway — there's a team that started working months ago. We're building something special in Paris. We can't wait to see our community come together again. Stay tuned — there's a lot more to share. #EHRAbackstage

BIG BIG 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 to all authors and centers for contributing to this joint work. Born and discussed in the EHRA SIC - executed by Sergio Castrejon et al. ✅Now, we have realistic information on stroke risks linked to AF ablation!

How do European electrophysiologists stratify arrhythmic risk in post-MI patients with preserved or mid-range LVEF? #EHRA is launching a new survey to map current clinical practices across Europe. 👉 Participate here: surveymonkey.com/r/PreservedLVE… @jongichun @vlachoskonstan1

⚖️ Guidelines say NO to Class Ic in CCS… But is real-world practice saying something else? EAST-AFNET 4 hints at safety 👀 👉 #EHRA_ESC survey—how do YOU use flecainide/propafenone? 🕒 10 min | 🔒 Anonymous 📊 Help shape future guidance 👉🏻 bit.ly/4sOUalP

One may need to acknowledge some important differences between reimbursement systems to fully understand widespread use of ICE and 3D mapping in some areas. EHRA SIC is about to investigate this soon @jongichun @MartinRauber3

@EHRAPresident @purerfellner @TCagnotto #feelthepulse 👍🏻

🥈 From the Olympic podium to #PulseDay awareness. At Dolomeeting Arrhythmias in Bolzano, @purerfellner spoke with @TCagnotto — Olympic silver medallist and former World & European champion — about the importance of knowing your pulse. Elite athletes monitor every heartbeat 💓 You should too! 🫵 Check your pulse. ✌️ Detect irregular rhythms early. ❤️ Protect your heart. 🫀

🚨 TODAY is #PulseDay — 1 March 2026! The #EHRA_ESC Digital Committee is proud to support the online campaign to raise awareness of cardiac arrhythmias. 📲 Scan the QR code in the visual to access a FREE 5-day mobile app with medical-grade heart rhythm recording. (Active until 31 March 2026!) Check your pulse. 💓 Record your rhythm. 🫀 Share this post. Tag your colleagues. Let’s amplify the message.

Do you teach your #AFib patients how to check their pulse? #pulseday #WAFIB2026 @jongichun @nmarrouche @jillschaefferNP #cardiotwitter

@EHRAPresident @HRSonline @LAHRSonline1 🎉🎉🎉🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻♥️💪🏼🎉🎉🎉

@martinkstiles @netta_doc @westernAFib @HRSonline @nmarrouche @LAHRSonline1 @APHRSOfficial Fantastic to see APHRS pushing!!!! PulseDay 2026 has kicked off in NZ. ✊🏼🙏🏻

@netta_doc @jongichun @westernAFib @HRSonline @nmarrouche @LAHRSonline1 @APHRSOfficial Kicking off in Auckland #PulseDay2026

Tomorrow March 1 2026 is #PulseDay! @jongichun giving a great talk on the importance of this patient-centered worldwide campaign to detect #AFib - Check your pulse! Learn more here! escardio.org/communities/as… #WAFib2026