Comparison of atrial fibrillation ablation using cryoballoon versus radiofrequency in patients with left common pulmonary veins: mid-term follow-up results

Purpose Cryoballoon (CB) and radiofrequency (RF) ablation techniques have similar outcomes for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is limited data about the impact of different ablation strategies in patients with left common pulmonary vein (LCPV). Our aim was to compare the safety and efficacy of RF and CB ablation in AF patients with LCPV. Methods One hundred and twenty-seven ( n = 80 CB and n = 47 RF) AF patients with LCPV detected by preprocedural computerized tomography (CT) were included in the study. Ostial dimensions and trunk distance were measured in all patients. Atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATa) recurrence was defined as detection of AF, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia (≥ 30 s) after a 3-month blanking period. Results There was no significant difference in acute procedural success rates for PVI (97.5% in CB and 97.9% in RF, respectively, P = 0.953) and complication rates were similar between the groups (6 (7.5%) in CB and 4 (8.5%) in RF, respectively, P = 1.000). During a median follow-up of 20.7 (4.8–50.2) months for CB and 20.5 (6.2–36.0) months for RF, ATa recurrence was 35.0% and 38.2%, respectively ( P = 0.777). Multivariate analysis did not reveal any of the morphologic parameters of LCPV as a significant predictor of ATa recurrence. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated that both CB and RF ablation techniques have similar efficacy and safety in AF patients with LCPV during the mid-term follow-up.