Long-term clinical outcomes after single freeze cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a 5-year follow-up

• Published in: Journal of interventional cardiac electrophysiology Vol. 61; no. 1; pp. 87 - 93
• Main Authors: Mugnai, Giacomo, Paparella, Gaetano, Overeinder, Ingrid, Ströker, Erwin, Sieira, Juan, Bisignani, Antonio, Iacopino, Saverio, Boveda, Serge, Beckers, Stefan, Umbrain, Vincent, Bala, Gezim, Brugada, Pedro, de Asmundis, Carlo, Chierchia, Gian-Battista
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.06.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Ablation; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiology; Clinical outcomes; Complications; Electrocardiography; Fibrillation; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Multivariate analysis; Obesity; Paroxysmal; Cryoballoon; Atrial fibrillation; Catheter ablation
• ISSN: 1383-875X; 1572-8595
• DOI: 10.1007/s10840-020-00788-w

Background The second-generation cryoballoon ablation (CB-A) has been proven to be safe and effective for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. Little is known regarding the long-term outcome following CB-A ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of the study was to evaluate the freedom from atrial arrhythmias during a 5-year follow-up period among consecutive patients having undergone PV isolation with the CB-A for paroxysmal AF Methods and results A total of 208 consecutive patients having undergone index PV isolation using CB-A (138 males, 66%; mean age 59.0 ± 12.6 years) were included in our retrospective analysis. Follow-up was based on outpatient clinic visits including Holter electrocardiograms. Recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias was defined as a symptomatic or documented episode of > 30 s. At a median follow-up of 62 months, freedom from atrial arrhythmias after a single procedure was achieved in 57.2% of patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that obesity, left atrial diameter, and duration of symptoms before AF ablation were independent predictors of ATas recurrences. Major complications occurred in 2.4% of patients. Conclusions The present study found a 5-year single-procedure success rate of 57.2% following CB-A ablation procedure. Obesity, higher LA dimensions, and longer duration of symptoms before ablation independently predicted the outcome.