Differences in scar lesion formation between radiofrequency and cryoballoon in atrial fibrillation ablation: a comparison study using ultra-high-density mapping.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is usually associated to conduction gaps in pulmonary veins (PVs). Our objective was to characterize gaps in patients with recurrences after a first radiofrequency (RF) or cryoballoon (CB) PVI procedure, using a high-density mapping (HDM) system.

Methods And Results: Fifty patients with AF recurrence after a first PVI procedure (pre-RF 25 patients; pre-CB 25 patients) were included at two centres.

Time-to-Effect-Based Dosing Strategy for Cryoballoon Ablation in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Results of the plusONE Multicenter Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial.

Background: The optimal dosage of cryotherapy during cryoballoon ablation of pulmonary veins is still unclear. This trial tested the noninferiority of a novel, individualized, cryotherapy-dosing strategy for each vein.

Methods And Results: This prospective, randomized, multicenter, noninferiority study included 140 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, which was refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs.

Medium-term results of cryoballoon ablation of the pulmonary veins in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. First experience of a Spanish center.

Purpose: Cryoballoon ablation of the pulmonary veins (CAPV) is a new technique that could have similar results to radiofrequency procedures, but with fewer complications. We analyzed the outcomes and safety of this technique in a consecutive cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: A total of 63 patients with paroxysmal (n = 40) or persistent (n = 23) AF were studied.