Clinically Manifesting Air Embolisms in Cryoballoon Ablation Can Novel Water Buckets Reduce the Risk?

摘要

Air embolisms can lead to lethal results; however, few reports have systemically investigated this issue. Of 348 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent cryoballoon ablation, procedures were performed conventionally in 251 patients. In the remaining 97 patients, a water bucket was used white inserting the cryoballoon into the sheath. A total of 10 coronary air embolisms with ST-segment elevation in the inferior leads were observed among 9 (2.6%) patients. Multiple air bubbles were identified in 2 patients on emergent coronary angiography. All recovered under conservative treatment without any sequela. The incidence decreased when using the water bucket (1 of 97 [1.03%] vs. 8 of 251 [3.2%], p = 0.454). (C) 2020 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.