Key result
Cryoballoon ablation offers high safety and lower technical complexity than radiofrequency ablation in paroxysmal AF.
Why the study?
Balloon-based devices have been developed to simplify pulmonary vein isolation due to the technical complexity of radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
May inform operator choice toward cryoballoon in paroxysmal AF; leaves open need for randomized long-term outcome data.
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation can be eliminated with continuous circular linear lesions around the pulmonary veins using radiofrequency ablation. Due to the technical complexity of this procedure balloon-based devices have been developed to simplify pulmonary vein isolation. Cryoballoon ablation provides excellent safety and is technically less demanding when compared to radiofrequency catheter ablation in selected patients. In this review, advantages as well as drawbacks of this emerging technology in relation to standard catheter ablation are discussed.
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Fuernkranz et al. (2009) conducted a review in Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Cryoballoon ablation vs. Radiofrequency catheter ablation was evaluated. Cryoballoon ablation provides excellent safety and is technically less demanding when compared to standard radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
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