Conclusion In patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation  , cryoballoon and radiofrequency ablation produce similar results in terms of freedom from recurrent atrial fibrillation or atrial tachyarrhythmias but with a different safety profile , being cryoballoon ablation less associated with cardiac complications but more likely to cause phrenic nerve palsy
Aims To perform an up date d meta- analysis to assess efficacy , safety and technical performance of pulmonary vein isolation using cryoballoon or radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation .
Cryoballoon vs. radiofrequency contact force ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a propensity score analysis
Background Radiofrequency and cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation are common approaches for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation treatment , showing similar results in recent multicenter studies , including heterogeneous tools and protocol s. The aim of this study is to compare prospect ively in a single , high-volume center the outcome of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation performed specifically by second-generation cryoballoon or contact force radiofrequency ablation . Methods Consecutive patients scheduled for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation transcatheter ablation have been included and prospect ively followed up . Aim ing to reduce potential bias deriving from baseline characteristics , a propensity score matching analysis has been performed to analyze safety and efficacy outcomes . Results Out of consecutive patients undergoing atrial fibrillation transcatheter ablation between January 2015 and December 2016 , 46 patients approached by cryoablation  were matched 1 : 1 by propensity score to a similar population treated by last-generation radiofrequency ablation .  Freedom from atrial fibrillation after 12 months ( 76 vs. 78 % , P = 0.804 ) and incidence of complications ( 4 vs. 6 % , P = 0.168 ) did not differ between the two groups . Radiological exposure was higher for the cryoballoon group ( 11 vs. 4 min , P < 0.001 ) , whereas procedural duration did not differ ( P = 0.174 ) . Aim ing to assess the potential impact of a learning curve in patients undergoing cryoablation , the first-third of patients ( n = 15 ) were compared with the remaining , reporting longer radiological exposure ( P < 0.001 ) , but similar safety and efficacy . Conclusion In this propensity score analysis , last-generation cryoballoon and radiofrequency catheters for atrial fibrillation ablation present similar efficacy and safety .  Cryoablation requires longer fluoroscopy exposure compared with radiofrequency , although this is reduced by increased experience
Conclusion In patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation  , cryoballoon and radiofrequency ablation produce similar results in terms of freedom from recurrent atrial fibrillation or atrial tachyarrhythmias but with a different safety profile , being cryoballoon ablation less associated with cardiac complications but more likely to cause phrenic nerve palsy
Aims To perform an up date d meta- analysis to assess efficacy , safety and technical performance of pulmonary vein isolation using cryoballoon or radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation .