Cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

AIM:To explore the methods, strategy and short-term outcome of cyroballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). METHODS: Data of cryoballoon ablation for five PAF patients in our hospital were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean procedure time of the five patients was 100-210(153 ± 44) min and the mean fluoroscopy time was 33-72(51±15) min. The mean time of cryoballoon ablation in each pulmonary vein was 29-300(209±75) s, the temperature of the cryoballoon was -27 to 61(-44±9)℃, and the cryoballoon ablation times in each vein were 2-6(3.0±1.3) times per pulmonary vein. No complications such as phrenic nerve palsy or pericardia tamponade occurred during and after the procedure. The left pulmonary vein potential was not completely isolated in one case and radiofrequency ablation catheter was used to achieve complete pulmonary vein isolation. One to 2 months after the procedure, AF was not found in the five patients. CONCLUSION: Cryoballoon ablation of AF is relatively simple with no need of 3D mapping and a shorter learning curve. However, X-ray fluoroscopy time was longer in earlier period and needs to be shortened.