Cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: long-term clinical outcome

Objective This study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(AF)during a long period of follow-up. Methods One hundred and eighteen consecutive AF patients were enrolled from December 2013 to March 2015 in Shanghai Ruijin Hospital for cryoballoon ablation.The primary study endpoint was the first documented AF event following a 90-day blanking period after the procedure.Pulmonary vein isolation(PVI)success rate, procedure time, X-ray exposure time and complications were analyzed as well.Patients who had been followed up more than 12 months were accepted in 1 year effectiveness analysis. Results A total of 110 patients were finally enrolled in long-term effectiveness analysis[77 in male, mean age(60.1±10.7)years]. The mean follow-up period was(15.9±5.7)months.The primary clinical endpoint occurred in 27 patients with documentation of AF event more than 30 s. One-year Kaplan-Meier sinus rate estimates at 77.3%.Successful PVI occurred in 98.3% of patients, mean procedure time was(110.3±12.2)minutes, mean X-ray exposure time was(18.6±5.5)minutes.There were no any severe complications in this study population.Temporary phrenic nerve palsy(PNP)happened in 2.54%(n=3)of patients and all PNP patients had a full recovery of their phrenic nerve function within 5 months after the procedure. Conclusion This study demonstrated that cryoballoon ablation is a safe method for treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and it has good 1-year clinical effectiveness. Key words: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; Cryoballoon ablation; Pulmonary vein isolation