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Single-shot devices have been developed to simplify pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Randomized studies of the second-generation cryoballoon (CB 2nd) demonstrated excellent results. There are limited data comparing results of circular pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) with conventional RF ablation or CB for PVI. Using a sequential registry cohort and a prospective randomized study, we aimed to compare the acute and long-term results of CB 2nd and PVAC Gold. In the registry, consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing their first PVI were included. The preferred method used was PVAC Gold in 2014 and CB 2nd in 2015. Subsequently, a randomized study (PVAC vs. CB 2nd) was performed. Ablation success was measured as freedom of AF or atrial tachycardias (AT) off antiarrhythmic drugs. In the registry cohort, PVAC Gold was used in 60 patients and CB 2nd in 56 patients (age 66 ± 11 years, 52% male, LAD 43 ± 6). In the randomized study, 20 patients were treated with PVAC Gold and 22 with CB 2nd (age 67 ± 9; 43% men, LAD 40 ± 7 mm). During a mean follow up of 13.2 ± 3.6 months, success was 54% in PVAC Gold patients and 81% in CB 2nd cases (p = 0.001). In the randomized study 12 months success was 50% versus 86%, p

Abstract—Background: Unconscious patients with severe trauma often require urgent endotracheal intubation. In trauma victims with possible cervical spine injury, any movement of the head and neck should be avoided. Study Objectives: We investigated the effect of GlideScope videolaryngoscopy on cervical spine movement compared with conventional laryngoscopy in anesthetized patients with unsecured cervical spines. Methods: Sixty patients scheduled for elective surgery with general anesthesia and without anticipated airway problemswereenrolledin the studyafter ethics committee approval and written informed consent. Intubation was performed with videolaryngoscopy (GlideScope, Verathon Inc., Bothell, WA) or conventional laryngoscopy (MacIntosh). Using video motion analysis with a lateral view, the maximum extension angle a was measured with reference to anatomical points (baseline and line drawn from processus mastoideus to os frontale [glabella]). Values were analyzed using Mann Whitney U-tests. Results: The deviation of a was a median 11.8 in the videolaryngoscope group and 14.3 in the conventional group (p = 0.045), with a maximum of 19.2 (videolaryngoscopy) vs. 29.3 (conventional). Intubation by physicians with some experience in videolaryngoscopy was associated with a reduced angle deviation (a = 10.3) compared to inexperienced physicians (12.8, p = 0.019). Intubation time was a median 24 s (min/max 12/75 s) in the MacIntosh group and 53 s (min/max 28/210 s) in the GlideScope group. In 3 patients randomized to the conventional group in whom conventional intubation failed, intubation could be successfully performed using videolaryngoscopy. Conclusion: GlideScope videolaryngoscopy reduces movements of the cervical spine in patients with unsecured cervical spines and therefore might reduce the risk of secondary damage during emergency intubation of patients with cervical spine trauma. 2013 Elsevier Inc.