Repeat cryoablation as a redo procedure for atrial fibrillation ablation: Is it a good choice?

Figures

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  Figure 1. Distribution of pulmonary vein reconnection in patients who had undergone a previous radiofrequency ablation (Prior-RF) or cryoballoon ablation (Prior-CB). Pearson’s χ2 test performed to show differences in the proportion of reconnection for each vein between groups.

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  Figure 2. Kaplan-Meier survival curves for atrial fibrillation recurrence after a 3-month blanking period. Log-rank test is performed to compare the predefined groups, showing significant differences between them; Prior-RF — patients subjected to cryoballoon ablation after a failed previous radiofrequency atrial fibrillation ablation; Prior-CB — patients subjected to cryoballoon ablation after a failed previous cryoballoon atrial fibrillation ablation.

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  Figure 3. Multivariate Cox regression model of atrial fibrillation recurrence. Being subjected to cryoballoon ablation after a failed previous cryoballoon atrial fibrillation ablation vs. a previous radiofrequency catheter ablation was the only independent predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence; CI — confidence interval; CHA2DS2-VASc — Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥ 75 years, Diabetes mellitus, Stroke or transient ischemic attack, Vascular disease, Age 65–74 years, Sex category.

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  Central illustration. Graphical abstract showing group definition, pulmonary veins reconnection pattern, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and main findings; Adj-HR — adjusted hazard ratio; AF — atrial fibrillation; CBA — cryoballoon ablation; PV — pulmonary veins; RECABA — Registro Español de Crioablación de con Balón — Spanish registry of cryoballoon ablation; RFCA — radiofrequency catheter ablation; Prior-RF — patients subjected to cryoballoon ablation after a failed previous radiofrequency atrial fibrillation ablation; Prior-CB — patients subjected to cryoballoon ablation after a failed previous cryoballoon atrial fibrillation ablation.