Clinical significance of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after cryoballoon vs. radiofrequency ablation—A propensity score matched analysis

OBJECTIVES: One of the mechanisms of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (ERAF) after AF ablation is considered to be the inflammatory reaction of the atrial tissue. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical significance of ERAF at each stage for true AF recurrence between cryoballoon (CB) and radiofrequency (RF) ablation. METHODS: Among 798 paroxysmal AF patients who underwent an initial ablation, 460 patients (CB, n = 230; RF, n = 230) were selected by propensity score matching. Very ERAF (VERAF), ERAF-1M, ERAF-3M and true AF recurrence were defined as AF recurrence at 0-2, 3-30, 31-90 days and more than 90 days after the procedure, respectively. RESULTS: The patient characteristics of the two groups were similar. ERAF was observed 21% and 27% in the CB and RF groups, respectively. In both the CB and RF group, VERAF, ERAF-1M and ERAF-3M were more frequently observed in patients with true AF recurrence than in those without. In a multivariable analysis, ERAF-1M and ERAF-3M were found to be independent predictors of true AF recurrence in both the CB (P = 0.04 and P<0.001, respectively) and RF groups (P = 0.02 and P = 0.001, respectively). However, while VERAF was associated with true AF recurrence after RF ablation (P = 0.03), it was not associated with true AF recurrence after CB ablation (P = 0.19). CONCLUSION: The relationship between ERAF and true AF recurrence differed between the RF and CB ablation groups. While VERAF was associated with true AF recurrence after RF ablation, it was not a predictor of true AF recurrence after CB ablation.