Safety, efficacy, and cost–performance of a simplified cryoballoon ablation procedure for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

摘要

Abstract Background The search for a less invasive and lower cost cryoballoon-based strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation has resulted in a simplified procedure that may be suitable for cryoballoon ablation (CBA). Here, we compared procedural characteristics and outcomes between conventional CBA and simple CBA.Methods We enrolled 628 consecutive patients who underwent initial CBA for AF (age, 69?±?12?years; female, 263 (42%); paroxysmal AF, 576 (92%); CHA2DS2-VASc score, 2.7?±?1.6 points). Simple CBA was characterized by the minimal procedure required to isolate pulmonary veins, including the following: (1) CBA was performed without guidance from a 3-D mapping system; (2) a coronary sinus electrode and esophageal temperature probe were not used; (3) a waiting period after pulmonary vein isolation was not set; and AF induction by isoproterenol and atrial burst stimuli were not performed.Results Simple CBA was performed in 240 (38%) patients. Procedural time (49?±?18 versus 85?±?27?min, p?