The Impact of Early Cryoballoon Ablation on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Non‐Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Background Cryoballoon ablation is a safe and efficient rhythm control strategy in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation (AF). Diagnosis‐to‐ablation time (DAT) has been defined as a predictor of ablation outcomes, but the impact of early ablation among non‐paroxysmal AF is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of early cryoballoon ablation on AF recurrence in a prospective single‐center cohort of non‐paroxysmal AF patients. Methods Patients with non‐paroxysmal AF admitted to the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University until July 2024 and underwent first‐time cryoballoon ablation were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups to evaluate differences in AF recurrence risk associated with early‐ablation ( n = 78), defined as within 6 months of first AF diagnosis, and delayed‐ablation ( n = 70), defined as > 6 months after first AF diagnosis. The follow up was until October 31, 2024. Cox regression models were used to identify predictors of recurrence. Results A total of 148 subjects were included and followed up for a mean of 293 (119–398) days. The cohort included 78 (52.70%) in the early‐ablation group and 70 (47.30%) in the delayed‐ablation group. The mean age was 65.82 ± 9.75 years and 56 (37.84%) were female. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that early‐ablation [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.496, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.248–0.991, p = 0.047], low‐density lipoprotein/high‐density lipoprotein ratio (HR = 0.589, 95% CI: 0.377–0.920, p = 0.020), and early recurrence (HR = 2.750, 95% CI: 1.418–5.333, p = 0.003) were independent predictors of AF recurrence after cryoballoon ablation. Conclusion Early cryoablation reduced the risk of recurrence in patients with non‐paroxysmal AF.