INTRODUCTION: Contact force sensing radiofrequency ablation and the new generation cryoballoon ablation are prevalent techniques for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. AIM: The authors aimed to compare the procedural and 1-year outcome of patients after radiofrequency and cryoballoon ablation. METHOD: 96 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (radiofrequency ablation: 58, cryoballoon: 38 patients; 65 men and 31 women aged 28-70 years) were enrolled. At postprocedural 1, 3, 6 and 12 months ECG, Holter monitoring and telephone interviews were performed. RESULTS: Procedure and fluorosocopy time were: radiofrequency ablation, 118.5 ± 15 min and 15.8 ± 6 min; cryoballoon, 73.5 ± 16 min (p<0.05) and 13.8 ± 4.,1 min (p = 0.09), respectively. One year later freedom from atrial fibrillation was achieved in 76.5% of patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation and in 81% of patients treated with cryoballoon. Temporary phrenic nerve palsy occurred in two patients and pericardial tamponade developed in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: In this single center study freedom from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was similar in the two groups with significant shorter procedure time in the cryoballoon group.
INTRODUCTION: Contact force sensing radiofrequency ablation and the new generation cryoballoon ablation are prevalent techniques for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. AIM: The authors aimed to compare the procedural and 1-year outcome of patients after radiofrequency and cryoballoon ablation. METHOD: 96 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (radiofrequency ablation: 58, cryoballoon: 38 patients; 65 men and 31 women aged 28-70 years) were enrolled. At postprocedural 1, 3, 6 and 12 months ECG, Holter monitoring and telephone interviews were performed. RESULTS: Procedure and fluorosocopy time were: radiofrequency ablation, 118.5 ± 15 min and 15.8 ± 6 min; cryoballoon, 73.5 ± 16 min (p<0.05) and 13.8 ± 4.,1 min (p = 0.09), respectively. One year later freedom from atrial fibrillation was achieved in 76.5% of patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation and in 81% of patients treated with cryoballoon. Temporary phrenic nerve palsy occurred in two patients and pericardial tamponade developed in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: In this single center study freedom from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was similar in the two groups with significant shorter procedure time in the cryoballoon group.