BACKGROUND: Persistent phrenic nerve palsy is the most frequent complication of cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation and can be disabling. OBJECTIVES: To describe a technique-immediate balloon deflation (IBD)-for the prevention of persistent phrenic nerve palsy, provide data for its use, and describe in vitro simulations performed to investigate the effect of IBD on the atrium and pulmonary vein. METHODS: Cryoballoon procedures for atrial fibrillation were analyzed retrospectively (n = 130). IBD was performed in patients developing phrenic nerve dysfunction (n = 22). In vitro simulations were performed by using phantoms. RESULTS: No adverse events occurred, and all patients recovered normal phrenic nerve function before leaving the procedure room. No patient developed persistent phrenic nerve palsy. The mean cryoablation time to onset of phrenic nerve dysfunction was 144 ± 64 seconds. Transient phrenic nerve dysfunction was seen more frequently with the 23-mm balloon than with the 28-mm balloon (11 of 39 cases vs 11 of 81 cases; P = .036). Balloon rewarming was faster following IBD. The time to return to 0 and 20° C was shorter in the IBD group (6.7 vs 8.9 seconds; P = .007 and 16.7 vs 37.6 seconds; P<.0001). In vitro simulations confirmed that IBD caused more rapid tissue warming (time to 0°C, 14.0 ± 3.4 seconds vs 46.0 ± 8.1; P = .0001) and is unlikely to damage the atrium or pulmonary vein. CONCLUSIONS: IBD results in more rapid tissue rewarming, causes no adverse events, and appears to prevent persistent phrenic nerve palsy. Simulations suggest that IBD is unlikely to damage the atrium or pulmonary vein.
BACKGROUND: Persistent phrenic nerve palsy is the most frequent complication of cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation and can be disabling. OBJECTIVES: To describe a technique-immediate balloon deflation (IBD)-for the prevention of persistent phrenic nerve palsy, provide data for its use, and describe in vitro simulations performed to investigate the effect of IBD on the atrium and pulmonary vein. METHODS: Cryoballoon procedures for atrial fibrillation were analyzed retrospectively (n = 130). IBD was performed in patients developing phrenic nerve dysfunction (n = 22). In vitro simulations were performed by using phantoms. RESULTS: No adverse events occurred, and all patients recovered normal phrenic nerve function before leaving the procedure room. No patient developed persistent phrenic nerve palsy. The mean cryoablation time to onset of phrenic nerve dysfunction was 144 ± 64 seconds. Transient phrenic nerve dysfunction was seen more frequently with the 23-mm balloon than with the 28-mm balloon (11 of 39 cases vs 11 of 81 cases; P = .036). Balloon rewarming was faster following IBD. The time to return to 0 and 20° C was shorter in the IBD group (6.7 vs 8.9 seconds; P = .007 and 16.7 vs 37.6 seconds; P<.0001). In vitro simulations confirmed that IBD caused more rapid tissue warming (time to 0°C, 14.0 ± 3.4 seconds vs 46.0 ± 8.1; P = .0001) and is unlikely to damage the atrium or pulmonary vein. CONCLUSIONS: IBD results in more rapid tissue rewarming, causes no adverse events, and appears to prevent persistent phrenic nerve palsy. Simulations suggest that IBD is unlikely to damage the atrium or pulmonary vein.
Authors: Giacomo Mugnai; Carlo de Asmundis; Burak Hünük; Erwin Ströker; Darragh Moran; Ebru Hacioglu; Diego Ruggiero; Jan Poelaert; Christian Verborgh; Vincent Umbrain; Stefan Beckers; Hugo Enrique Coutino-Moreno; Ken Takarada; Valentina de Regibus; Pedro Brugada; Gian-Battista Chierchia Journal: J Interv Card Electrophysiol Date: 2016-02-12 Impact factor: 1.900
Authors: Gaetano Paparella; Saverio Iacopino; Thiago Guimarães Osório; Juan Pablo Abugattas de Torres; Erwin Ströker; Juan Sieira; Hannes Vanacker; Bernard De Ruyter; Serge Boveda; Riccardo Maj; Gianluca Borio; Alessandro Rizzo; Alessio Galli; Pedro Brugada; Carlo de Asmundis; Gian-Battista Chierchia Journal: J Interv Card Electrophysiol Date: 2020-05-31 Impact factor: 1.900
Authors: Giacomo Mugnai; Darragh Moran; Erwin Ströker; Diego Ruggiero; Hugo Enrique Coutino-Moreno; Ken Takarada; Valentina De Regibus; Rajin Choudhury; Saverio Iacopino; Pasquale Filannino; Vincent Umbrain; Stefan Beckers; Pedro Brugada; Carlo de Asmundis; Gian-Battista Chierchia Journal: J Interv Card Electrophysiol Date: 2016-08-15 Impact factor: 1.900