Hot balloon vs. cryoballoon ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation: lesion area, efficacy, and safety

Introduction: The clinical efficacy and safety of hot balloon ablation (HBA) for treatment of persistent AF (PerAF) remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of HBA vs. cryoballoon ablation (CBA) as treatment for PerAF. Methods: Of 195 consecutive patients who underwent initial catheter ablation for PerAF (AF lasting >7 days but <12 months), 158 propensity score-matched (79 HBA and 79 CBA) patients were included in our study. All patients who underwent HBA received applications of energy to the upper posterior LA wall with a larger balloon in addition to single shots to each pulmonary vein (PV) ostium, whereas those who underwent CBA received simple single-shot applications. The electrically isolated surface area (ISA), including the PV antrum and part of the posterior LA wall, was assessed by high-resolution mapping. Results: Success of the PV isolation with balloon shots alone did not differ between HBA and CBA (81% vs. 85%; P = 0.52). The ISA was generally wide in both groups and significantly larger in the HBA group than in the CBA group (61 ± 16% vs. 51 ± 12%, P < 0.001). The incidence of procedure-related complications did not differ significantly (HBA 4% vs. CBA 1%; P = 0.62) nor did the arrhythmia recurrence rate (HBA 11% vs. CBA 18% at 18 months; P = 0.26). Conclusion: Despite the difference in protocols, HBA and CBA performed for PerAF appear comparable in terms of wide antral lesion creation, clinical efficacy, and safety.