Three-year follow-up results of cryoablation of atrial fibrillation
patients:A comparison of 1st-generation and 2nd-generation cryoballoons
Abstract
objective: Both first and second generation cryoballoons (CB1 and CB2)
are efficient and safe treatments for patients with atrial fibrillation
(AF). However, the superiority of CB2 over CB1 remains controversial.
Our purpose was to compare ablation outcomes and complications between
two generation CB especially in the long-term follow-up and in Chinese
population. Methods: 278 consecutive patients underwent CB ablation were
included, with 139 cases of 1st and 2nd generation CB respectively.
Patients profiles, periprocedural details and clinical events were
recorded and compared between two cohorts. Results: Baseline
characteristics were similar. 1st generation CB group showed more
overall times of freeze per vein (1.8±1.0 vs 1.6±0.8, p<0.01) and
longer time-to-isolation in left superior pulmonary vein (91.0 ±49.1s vs
54.1±32.4 p=0.01). After three-years follow-up, the procedure
complications had no difference between two groups. Through a mean
follow-up period of 19.00±10.66 months, overall recurrence was
comparable(62.4% vs 74.2%, p=0.13)and the survival analysis shows no
difference either (Logrank P = 0.1807). The complications during
follow-up showed no differences, including stroke events [3/133 vs
1/128, p=0.62], major hemorrhagic events [3/133 vs 1/128, p=0.62]
and death of any cause [5/133 vs 2/128, p=0.25]. Conclusions: 1st
and 2nd generation CBs are equally efficient and safe for PV ablation
procedure and they are both suitable for Chinese population