Influence of vagal reflex after cryoballoon ablation on the recurrence of atrial fibrillation

AIM To investigate the effect of vagal reflexes after cryoballoon ablation on the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS One hundred and three consecutive patients with paroxysmal/persistent AF underwent cryoballoon ablation. They were divided into two groups based on whether vagal reflexes occurred after cryoballoon ablation. The baseline characteristics, ablation parameters, and success rate were compared between the two groups. The primary endpoint was the recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation after 12-month post ablation. RESULTS There were a total of 40 patients in the vagal reflex group and 63 patients in the control group. There were no significant differences in hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cerebral infarction, or left atrial diameter between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the application of a 23 mm balloon, operation times, or X-ray exposures between the two groups. There were 2 patients that had longer time of severe vagal reflex, which recovered after ventricular pacing and injection of atropine. AF recurrence occurred in 14 patients (35%) in the vagal reflex group and in 20 (32%) in the control group. The recurrence between the two groups had no significant difference. CONCLUSION Vagal reflex during cryoballoon ablation of AF has no significant influence on postablation recurrence of AF.