Contact-force guided radiofrequency vs. second-generation balloon cryotherapy for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation-a prospective evaluation.

Aims: In the setting of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), there are no available data comparing the mid-term outcome of patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) catheter ablation using contact-force (CF)-guided radiofrequency (RF) vs. second-generation balloon cryotherapy.

Methods And Results: Prospective single-centre evaluation, carried out from March 2011 to February 2013, comparing CF radiofrequency (Thermocool(®) SmartTouch™, Biosense Webster, Inc.

Rivaroxaban and dabigatran in patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Aims: The recent availability of the novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) may have led to a change in the anticoagulation regimens of patients referred to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Preliminary data exist concerning dabigatran, but information regarding the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban in this setting is currently scarce.

Methods And Results: Of the 556 consecutive eligible patients (age 61.

Real-time assessment of pulmonary vein disconnection during cryoablation of atrial fibrillation: can it be 'achieved' in almost all cases?

Aim: Real-time assessment of pulmonary vein (PV) disconnection is possible using an inner circular mapping catheter during cryoablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it has been recently demonstrated that such continuous monitoring may only be possible in <50% of PVs. We hypothesized that a stepwise mapping approach, including pacing manoeuvres, could optimize monitoring of real-time PV disconnection during ablation.