Cooling dynamics: a new predictor of long-term efficacy of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia cryoablation

Catheter ablation of the slow pathway is the most effective treatment for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). Cryoenergy, compared to radiofrequency, relates to lower heart block risk but higher incidence of AVNRT recurrences. The aims of this study are to confirm the safety and efficacy of AVNRT cryoablation and to identify predictors of long-term recurrences. Among 241 patients undergoing AVNRT cryoablation, 239 (99.2%) experienced acute effective cryoablation of the slow pathway, and no procedure-related complications were reported. After a follow-up of 44.9 ± 31.7 months, 28 (11.7%) patients presented AVNRT recurrences. A shorter preablation (p = 0.05) and postablation anterograde Wenckebach cycle length (p