Preventing atrial fibrillation by combined right isthmus ablation and
cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation in patients with typical atrial
flutter: the PAF-CRIOBLAF study
Abstract
Aims - Although less common, typical atrial flutter (AFL) shares similar
pathophysiologic roots with atrial fibrillation (AF). Following
successful cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation using radiofrequency (RF),
many patients, however, develop AF in the mid-to-long-term. This study
sought to assess whether pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) conducted at the
same time as cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation would significantly modify
the AF burden upon follow-up (FU) in patients suffering from typical
AFL. Methods - This was a multicenter randomized controlled study
involving AFL patients with history of non-predominant AF (1 AF episode
only in 67% of population) who were scheduled for CTI RF ablation.
Patients were randomly assigned to either undergo cavo-tricuspid isthmus
(CTI) ablation alone or CTI plus PVI (CTI+). PVI was performed using
cryoballoon technology. An outpatient consultation with ECG and 1-week
Holter monitoring was performed at 3, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years
post-procedure. The primary endpoint was AF recurrences lasting more
than 30 s at 2 years post-ablation. Results - Of the patients enrolled,
36 were included in each group. At 2-year FU, the AF recurrence rate was
significantly higher in the CTI versus CTI+ group (25/36, 69% vs.
12/36, 33% respectively; p<0.001), with similar AFL
recurrence rates. There were no differences in quality of life or
undesirable events, except for transient phrenic nerve palsy reported
from three PVI patients (8.3%). Conclusion - PVI using cryoballoon
technology was proven to significantly reduce the AF incidence at 2
years post-CTI-ablation.