Key result
A single 4-minute freeze cycle per pulmonary vein without a bonus freeze was equally effective to the standard protocol with a bonus freeze for freedom from symptomatic AF (81% vs 79%, P=ns).
Why the study?
Does a single 240 s freeze cycle without a bonus freeze prevent recurrence of AF in patients with drug-refractory atrial fibrillation compared to standard procedure with a bonus freeze?
Population
192 patients with drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF)
Comparison
Single 240 s freeze cycle per pulmonary vein… vs Standard cryoballoon procedure with a bonus…
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
mean 458 ± 107 days
Authors
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May support shorter cryoballoon protocols in observational cohorts; leaves open randomized confirmation of noninferiority.
Observational (n=192)
Does a single 240 s freeze cycle without a bonus freeze prevent recurrence of AF in patients with drug-refractory atrial fibrillation compared to standard procedure with a bonus freeze?
Absolute Event Rate: 81% vs 79%
p-value: p=ns
Omitting the bonus freeze during cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation reduces procedure time without compromising efficacy or safety, provided there is no dormant conduction.
Tebbenjohanns et al. (2015) conducted an observational in drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) (n=192). Single 240 s freeze cycle per pulmonary vein without bonus freeze vs. Standard cryoballoon procedure with a bonus freeze (240 s) was evaluated on Recurrence of AF (reported as freedom from symptomatic AF) (p=ns). A single 4-minute freeze cycle per pulmonary vein without a bonus freeze was equally effective to the standard protocol with a bonus freeze for freedom from symptomatic AF (81% vs 79%, P=ns).
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