Cryoballoon versus radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation - a study of outcome and safety based on the ESC-EHRA AF ablation long-term registry and the Swedish catheter ablation registry

• Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), the standard for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, is most commonly applied with radiofrequency (RF) energy, although cryoballoon technology (CRYO) has gained widespread use.Purpose: The aim was to compare the second generation cryoballoon and the irrigated RF energy regarding outcomes and safety.Methods: In total, 4657 patients undergoing their first AF ablation were included; 982 with CRYO and 3675 with RF energy from the Swedish catheter ablation registry and the ESC- EHRA Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Long-Term registry. Primary endpoint was repeat AF ablation. Major secondary endpoints included procedural duration, tachyarrhythmia recurrence (>30 seconds duration) and complication rate.Results: The re-ablation rate after 12 months of follow-up was significantly lower in the CRYO versus the RF group, 7.8% versus 11%, p=0.0041 (Figure 1), while freedom from arrhythmia recurrence did not differ between the groups, 70.2% versus 68.2%, p=0.44. The result was not influenced by AF type and RF lesion sets. In multiple Cox regression analysis, paroxysmal AF patients had significantly lower re-ablation risk after CRYO ablation, hazard ratio 0.56 (p=0.041). Procedural duration was significantly shorter with CRYO than RF, (mean±SD) 133.6±45.2 minutes versus 174.6±58.2 minutes, p<0.001. Complication rates did not differ; 53/982 (5.4%) versus 191/3675 (5.2%), CRYO versus RF, p=0.806.Conclusion: The cryoballoon was superior to conventional RF energy by its lower re-ablation rates and shorter procedure times, irrespective of RFablation lesion set used, and with equal safety, which has important clinical and health economic implications.

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MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kardiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

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