Concomitant Pulmonary Vein and Posterior Wall Isolation Using Cryoballoon With Adjunct Radiofrequency in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Objectives The aim of this multicenter, randomized, single-blind study was to prospectively evaluate the short-and long-term outcomes of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) versus PVI with concomitant left atrial posterior wall isolation (PWI) using the cryoballoon in patients with symptomatic persistent/long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (P/LSP-AF). Background Some studies have suggested a clinical benefit associated with PVI+PWI in patients with P/LSP-AF. However, there are limited safety and efficacy data on this approach using cryoballoon ablation. Methods The immediate and long-term outcomes in patients with P/LSP-AF randomized to PVI (n = 55) versus PVI+PWI (n = 55) using the cryoballoon were prospectively examined. Results Baseline characteristics were similar. PVI was achieved in all patients (21 ± 11 min). PWI was attained using 23 ± 8 min of cryoablation. Adjunct radiofrequency ablation was required in 4 of 110 patients (7.3%) to complete PVI (3 ± 2 min) and in 25 of 55 patients (45.5%) to complete PWI (4 ± 6 min). Although left atrial dwell time (113 ± 31 min vs. 75 ± 32 min; p Conclusions In patients with P/LSP-AF, PVI+PWI using the cryoballoon is associated with a significant reduction in atrial fibrillation recurrence, but similar safety, as compared with PVI alone.