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 .
Second‐generation cryoballoon ablation for treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation: Three‐year outcome and predictors of recurrence after a single procedure
INTRODUCTION Data on long-term outcomes of cryoballoon ( CB ) ablation for treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation ( AF ) are sparse . Here , we report the first 3-year follow-up results and predictors of success for catheter ablation using the second-generation CB in patients with persistent AF . METHODS AND RESULTS For this prospect i ve observational study , we enrolled 101 patients ablated with the second-generation CB at our institution . The endpoint was the first documented recurrence ( > 30 seconds ) of AF , atrial flutter , or atrial tachycardia after a 3-month blanking period . Follow-up data were collected during outpatient clinic visits and included Holter-ECG recordings . The impact of several variables on recurrence was evaluated by means of univariate and multivariate analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models . After a median follow-up of 37 ( 31 of 42 ) months , recurrence was documented in 30 patients ( 29.7 % ) . The median procedure and fluoroscopy times were 120 ( 102 of 147 ) and 20 ( 16 of 27 ) minutes , respectively . Phrenic nerve palsy occurred in 2.0 % of the patients . Among the 30 patients who experienced recurrence , 16 underwent repeat ablation in radiofrequency technique . Cox regression analysis showed that left atrial area > 21 cm2 and AF history duration > 2 years independently predicted recurrence . CONCLUSIONS Sinus rhythm was maintained in a substantial proportion of patients even 3 years after CB ablation . Patients with a nonenlarged left atrium and short AF history had the best outcome
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 .