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Comparative Safety and Efficacy of Irrigated Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation versus Combined Cryoballoon and Catheter Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation


Abstract

 

Background

Catheter and cryoballoon ablation are established treatments for atrial fibrillation. Frequently, substrate modification of the left atrium is performed in patients with persistent AF or extensive atrial substrate abnormalities. We compared one year outcomes of AF ablation with substrate modification utilizing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) compared to a combination of cryoballoon ablation with radiofrequency catheter ablation (HAFA).

 

Methods

Ablation for persistent AF was performed using stand-alone catheter ablation (RFA group, n=31) or cryoballoon for pulmonary vein isolation with RFA catheter ablation for substrate modification (HAFA group, n=21) and procedural and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Pulmonary vein isolation and LA substrate modification including creation of left atrial ablation lines and/or CFAEs was performed in all patients. Patients were followed for up to one year. A three- month blinding window was applied for analysis. 

 

Results

Clinical characteristics were similar between groups. Total procedure (244.15±64.7 vs 235.5±54.6, p=0.6) and fluoroscopy time (37±15.4 vs 29.5±15.7, p=0.96) were not different between the HAFA and RFA groups, respectively. Periprocedural complications were similar among groups. AF free survival was not significantly different between groups (p=0.631). Actuarial arrhythmia recurrence in one year was similar among groups (58.1% vs 66.7% for the RFA and HAFA group respectively, p=0.53) Symptomatic improvement was similar at 1 year between groups (81% vs 77.4% for HAFA vs RFA respectively, p=0.76). 

 

Conclusions

Combined cryoballoon and catheter ablation for LA substrate modification (HAFA) has similar safety and efficacy compared to stand-alone catheter ablation for persistent AF. Recurrent atrial flutter is more frequently noted after cryoballoon ablation for persistent AF. 

Credits: Ioanna Kosmidou; Kyari Sumayin; Thomas Deering; Andrew Wickliffe; Sricharan Kanitpudi; Stephen Prater; Dan Dan


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