Esophageal temperature monitoring significantly reduced the risk of endoscopically detected esophageal lesions compared with no monitoring (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.39-0.85).
Meta-Analysis (n=269)
Does esophageal temperature monitoring reduce the incidence of esophageal injury in patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation?
Esophageal temperature monitoring during cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation significantly reduces the risk of endoscopically detected esophageal lesions and should be considered a routine safety measure.
Odds Ratio: 0.57 (95% CI 0.39–0.85)
ABSTRACT Objective This meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of esophageal temperature monitoring (ETM) on the incidence of esophageal injury during cryoballoon ablation (CBA) for atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods A systematic search identified randomized controlled and observational studies comparing CBA procedures performed with versus without ETM. Data on study design, patient characteristics, procedural details, and esophageal outcomes were extracted. The primary endpoint was the incidence of endoscopically detected esophageal lesions (EDEL). Secondary outcomes included severe ulceration, symptomatic esophageal thermal injury (ETI), and atrioesophageal fistula (AEF). Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random‐effects model. Risk of bias was assessed according to Cochrane guidelines, and publication bias was evaluated with funnel plots. Results Four studies comprising 269 patients were included. ETM significantly reduced the risk of EDEL compared with no ETM (pooled OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.39–0.85), with low to moderate heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses confirmed consistent benefits across randomized and observational designs. Severe esophageal ulceration and symptomatic ETI were infrequent, and no AEF cases were reported. Funnel plot analysis indicated no major publication bias. Conclusion ETM significantly lowers the incidence of esophageal injury during CBA and should be considered a routine safety measure to improve procedural outcomes.
Manzoor et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Atrial fibrillation (n=269). Esophageal temperature monitoring (ETM) vs. No ETM was evaluated on Incidence of endoscopically detected esophageal lesions (EDEL) (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.39-0.85). Esophageal temperature monitoring significantly reduced the risk of endoscopically detected esophageal lesions compared with no monitoring (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.39-0.85).