Key result
Laserballoon ablation resulted in comparable 12-month AF-free survival compared to cryoballoon ablation (53.3% vs 70.4%; P=n.s.), despite a lower rate of complete pulmonary vein isolation.
Why the study?
Does visually guided laserballoon ablation improve AF-free survival compared to cryoballoon ablation in patients with persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation?
Observational
Does visually guided laserballoon ablation improve AF-free survival compared to cryoballoon ablation in patients with persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation?
Absolute Event Rate: 53.3% vs 70.4%
p-value: p=n.s.
Laserballoon ablation for PVI in persistent AF has a significant learning curve with initially lower acute isolation rates compared to cryoballoon, but yields comparable 12-month AF-free survival.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Should not yet change practice given lower isolation and longer procedures; leaves open laserballoon's role versus cryoballoon in persistent AF.
Stöckigt et al. (2016) conducted an observational in Persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Visually guided laserballoon (LB) ablation vs. Cryoballoon (CB) ablation was evaluated on AF-free survival after 12 months (p=n.s.). Laserballoon ablation resulted in comparable 12-month AF-free survival compared to cryoballoon ablation (53.3% vs 70.4%; P=n.s.), despite a lower rate of complete pulmonary vein isolation.
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