Pool analyses indicated that CB ablation was more beneficial in terms of procedural time [ st and ard mean difference = −0.58 ; 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) , −0.85 to −0.30 ] , complications without phrenic nerve injury ( PNI ) [ odds ratio ( OR ) = 0.79 ; 95 % CI , 0.67–0.93 ; I2 = 16 % ] , and recrudescence ( OR = 0.83 ; 95 % CI , 0.70–0.97 ; I2 = 63 % ) for PAF ; however , the total complications of CB was higher than RF .
The subgroup analysis found that , compared with non-contact force radiofrequency ( non-CF-RF ) , both first-generation cryoballoon ( CB1 ) and second-generation cryoballoon ( CB2 ) ablation  could reduce complications with PNI , procedural time , and recrudescence .
However , the safety and efficacy of CB2 was similar to those of CF-RF .
Conclusion Available overall and subgroup data suggested that both CB1 and CB2 were more beneficial than RF ablation , and the main advantages were reflected in comparing them with non-CF-RF .
However , CF-RF and CB2 showed similar clinical benefits
Purpose The present systematic review and meta- analysis aim ed to assess and compare the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ( RF ) and cryoballoon ( CB ) ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ( PAF ) .
RF and CB ablation are two frequently used methods for pulmonary vein isolation in PAF , but which is a better choice for PAF remains uncertain .
A prospective randomized single-center study on the risk of asymptomatic cerebral lesions comparing irrigated radiofrequency current ablation with the cryoballoon and the laser balloon.
BACKGROUND Asymptomatic cerebral lesions ( ACL ) may occur during  atrial fibrillation ( AF ) ablation . We sought to compare the ACL incidence between 3 contemporary technologies : ( 1 ) irrigated radiofrequency current ( RFC ) , ( 2 ) the single big cryoballoon ( CB ) , and ( 3 ) the endoscopic laser-balloon ( LB ) in a prospect i ve r and omized pilot study . METHODS AND RESULTS Ninety-nine patients were treated in 3 groups .  Diffusion weighted MRI was acquired pre- ( n = 20 ) and 24 - 48 h postablation ( n = 99 ) . After ablation , new ACL were detected in 22 % of patients without significant differences between groups ( RFC 8/33 ; CB 6/33 ; LB 8/33 ; P = 0.8 ) . The presence of hypertension was identified as the only independent predictor of ACL by univariate regression analysis . During LB ablation , more ablation lesions ( 140 ± 19 vs 119 ± 18 ; P = 0.007 ) were applied during longer procedures ( 166 ± 36 vs 143 ± 32 min ; P = 0.05 ) in patients with ACL . Univariate analysis revealed that a higher number of ablation lesions predicted ACL ( P = 0.02 ) . CONCLUSION In this prospect i ve , r and omized , single-center pilot study , ablation technology did not influence the occurrence of ACL during AF ablation
Pool analyses indicated that CB ablation was more beneficial in terms of procedural time [ st and ard mean difference = −0.58 ; 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) , −0.85 to −0.30 ] , complications without phrenic nerve injury ( PNI ) [ odds ratio ( OR ) = 0.79 ; 95 % CI , 0.67–0.93 ; I2 = 16 % ] , and recrudescence ( OR = 0.83 ; 95 % CI , 0.70–0.97 ; I2 = 63 % ) for PAF ; however , the total complications of CB was higher than RF .
The subgroup analysis found that , compared with non-contact force radiofrequency ( non-CF-RF ) , both first-generation cryoballoon ( CB1 ) and second-generation cryoballoon ( CB2 ) ablation  could reduce complications with PNI , procedural time , and recrudescence .
However , the safety and efficacy of CB2 was similar to those of CF-RF .
Conclusion Available overall and subgroup data suggested that both CB1 and CB2 were more beneficial than RF ablation , and the main advantages were reflected in comparing them with non-CF-RF .
However , CF-RF and CB2 showed similar clinical benefits
Purpose The present systematic review and meta- analysis aim ed to assess and compare the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ( RF ) and cryoballoon ( CB ) ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ( PAF ) .
RF and CB ablation are two frequently used methods for pulmonary vein isolation in PAF , but which is a better choice for PAF remains uncertain .