Comparison of Cryoballoon and Hybrid surgical Posterior Wall Isolation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation to conventional ablation.

Background: Optimalablation strategy for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear;PWI of the left atrium may improve outcome.Our aim was to compare outcomes of posterior wall isolation (PWI) ablation for persistent AF achieved by cryoballoon ablation (CRYO) or hybrid surgical ablation (HABL) to matched patients undergoing conventional radiofrequency ablation (CRA).

Methods: In our single center retrospective study,patients underwent HABL and CRYO withcircumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA),roof and floor lines to complete PW box lesion.