Preparticipation screening in young female elite ice hockey players.

Objectives: The occurrence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in competitive athletes has led to a discussion about appropriate preparticipation screening models. The role of an electrocardiogram (ECG) in routine testing remains controversial in current guidelines. Furthermore, data on cardiac findings and the prognostic utility of screening strategies in young female elite ice hockey is scarce.

Impact of intracardiac echocardiography usage on the safety of cryoballoon atrial fibrillation ablation: Subanalysis of the prospective FREEZE cluster cohort study.

Introduction: Cryoballoon ablation (CBA) aiming at pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) became a standardized atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedure. Life-threatening complications like cardiac tamponade exist. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) usage is associated with superior safety in radiofrequency ablation.

Left atrial appendage volume is an independent predictor of atrial arrhythmia recurrence following cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation in persistent atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the cornerstone of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in persistent AF (persAF), and cryoballoon PVI emerged as an initial ablation strategy. Symptomatic atrial arrhythmia recurrence following successful PVI in persAF is observed more frequently than in paroxysmal AF. Predictors for arrhythmia recurrence following cryoballoon PVI for persAF are not well described, and the role of left atrial appendage (LAA) anatomy is uncertain.

Electrophysiology lab efficiency comparison between cryoballoon and point-by-point radiofrequency ablation: a German sub-analysis of the FREEZE Cohort study.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is recommended to treat paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). This analysis aimed to assess the hospital efficiency of single-shot cryoballoon ablation (CBA) and point-by-point radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Methods: The discrete event simulation used PVI procedure times from the FREEZE Cohort study to establish the electrophysiology (EP) lab occupancy time.

Catheter Ablation in Complex Atrial Arrhythmias: Pilot Study Evaluating a 3D Wide-Band Dielectric Imaging System.

Background: Cryoballoon ablation (CBA) for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a standard in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation but might not be enough in complex atrial arrhythmias (AA). An open three-dimensional wide-band dielectric imaging system (3D-WBDIS) has been introduced to guide CBA.

Material And Methods: Pilot study evaluating feasibility and safety of 3D-WBDIS in combination with CBA and optional radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with complex AA defined as (1) history of persistent AF, (2) additional atrial tachycardia/flutter, or (3) previous left atrial ablation.

Cryoballoon Ablation Strategy in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Cryoballoon ablation is established for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). The objective was to evaluate CBA strategy in consecutive patients with persistent AF in the initial AF ablation procedure. Prospectively, patients with symptomatic persistent AF scheduled for AF ablation all underwent cryoballoon PVI.

Cardiac computed tomography angiography-derived analysis of left atrial appendage morphology and left atrial dimensions for the prediction of atrial fibrillation recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation.

Background: Left atrial appendage (LAA) is a potential source of atrial fibrillation (AF) triggers.

Hypothesis: LAA morphology and dimensions are associated with AF recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods: From cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA), left atrial (LA), pulmonary vein (PV), and LAA anatomy were assessed in cryoballoon ablation (CBA) patients.

Impact of age on the outcome of cryoballoon ablation as the primary approach in the interventional treatment of atrial fibrillation: Insights from a large all-comer study.

Introduction: The objective was to analyze the impact of patient age on clinical characteristics, procedural results, safety, and outcome of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) as the primary approach in the interventional treatment of symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods And Results: The single-center prospective observational study investigated consecutive patients who underwent initial left atrial ablation for symptomatic paroxysmal (PAF) or persistent AF (persAF). Age groups (A-F) of less than 40, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and more than or equal to 80 years were evaluated.

Benefit of ultra-high-density mapping-guided radiofrequency reablation in pulmonary vein isolation non-responders after initial cryoballoon procedure.

Aims: Symptomatic atrial arrhythmias despite complete pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) are common. The purpose was to evaluate ultra-high-density multi-electrode electroanatomical mapping-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in PVI non-responders.

Methods And Results: Ultra-high-density multi-electrode electroanatomical mapping-guided RFA in consecutive symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) patients after initial cryoballoon PVI was performed.

The fourth cryoballoon generation with a shorter tip to facilitate real-time pulmonary vein potential recording: Feasibility and safety results.

Introduction: Time-to-isolation (TTI) guided ablation protocols have been developed to ensure durable pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in cryoballoon ablation (CBA). The aim was to determine the feasibility and safety of the fourth generation cryoballoon (CBG4) with a shortened tip.

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients scheduled for initial atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation were prospectively included.

Lessons from individualized cryoballoon sizing. Is there a role for the small balloon?

Background: Cryoablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is well established. The single-big-balloon strategy has been preferred for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using the second generation cryoballoon (CBG2). Individual PV-morphologies raise the question if an individualized anatomic approach using the 23-mm or 28-mm CB is reasonable.

Safety and efficacy in ablation of premature ventricular contraction: data from the German ablation registry.

Background: Patients with frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are often highly symptomatic with significantly reduced quality-of-life. We evaluated the outcome and success of PVC ablation in patients in the German Ablation Registry.

Methods: The German Ablation Registry is a nationwide prospective multicenter database of patients who underwent an ablation procedure, initiated by the "Stiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung" (IHF), Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Cryoballoon ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation - Large single-center experience.

Background: Different catheter ablation (CA) strategies have been established in the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation (persAF). Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) only might be an option for the initial ablation procedure. There is a paucity of outcome data on second-generation cryoballoon (CBG2) PVI in persAF.

Outcome of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation with the cryoballoon using two different application times: the 4- versus 3-min protocol.

Purpose: The second-generation cryoballoon (CBG2) is highly effective for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). One-year outcome data are consistent among different research groups. First results suggest that a shortened application time might be equally effective.

German ablation registry: Cryoballoon vs. radiofrequency ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation--One-year outcome data.

Background: Although radiofrequency (RF) ablation has long been the standard of care for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, cryoballoon technology has emerged as a feasible approach with promising results. Prospective multicenter registry data referring to both ablation technologies in AF ablation are lacking so far.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report data from the German ablation registry with respect to efficacy and safety in pulmonary vein ablation with different energy sources for paroxysmal AF after 1-year follow-up.

First-line catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: outcome of radiofrequency vs. cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation.

Aims: First-line ablation prior to antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy is an option for symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF); however, the optimal ablation technique, radiofrequency (RF), or cryoballoon (CB) has to be determined.

Methods And Results: The FREEZE Cohort Study compares RF and CB ablation. Treatment-naïve patients were documented in the FREEZEplus Registry.

[Advances in cryoballoon technology: benefits and risks in daily practice].

Background: Cryoballoon ablation is nowadays a standard approach for pulmonary vein isolation in symptomatic atrial fibrillation. The second generation cryoballoon was introduced in 2012 and modifications and enhancement to the system promised a higher efficiency.

Objectives, Materials And Methods: A comprehensive overview of advances in cryoballoon ablation is provided and the consequences for daily practice are described based on a PubMed literature search, taking into account own experiences.

Differences of two cryoballoon generations: insights from the prospective multicentre, multinational FREEZE Cohort Substudy.

Aims: Cryoballoon (CB) ablation with the second-generation cryoballoon (CBG2) seems to be more effective than its predecessor [first-generation cryoballoon (CBG1)], but phrenic nerve palsies were observed more frequently. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of CBG1 and CBG2 in a substudy of the prospective multicentre, multinational FREEZE Cohort Study.

Methods And Results: Periprocedural data were analysed, and a total of 532 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) were examined (n = 224 for CBG1 and n = 308 for CBG2).

Comparison of the first and second cryoballoon: high-volume single-center safety and efficacy analysis.

Background: Cryoballoon (CB) ablation results in >70% freedom from atrial fibrillation at 1 year. Single-center data of the first (CBG1) and second (CBG2) cryoballoon, recently introduced, were analyzed to compare safety and efficacy.

Methods And Results: From March 2011 to December 2012, CB ablation with spiral mapping was performed consecutively in 484 patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation.

Cryoballoon versus RF ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: results from the German Ablation Registry.

Background: Catheter ablation is used extensively with curative intention in atrial fibrillation. Radiofrequency ablation has long been a standard of care, while cryoballoon technology has emerged as a feasible approach with promising results. Prospective multicenter registry data referring to both ablation technologies in AF ablation therapy are lacking.

[Cardiac computed tomography and ablation of atrial fibrillation].

Both cardiac computed tomography (CT) and interventional electrophysiology (EP) have evolved considerably in recent years. Technical improvements in CT have significantly reduced the radiation dose in cardiac applications. This imaging technology plays an important role in preprocedural planning and guidance of the procedures in many EP centers worldwide.