Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Atrial fibrillation cryoablation is an effective day case treatment: the UK PolarX vs. Arctic Front Advance experience
Authors' conclusion
This large-scale UK multi-centre study has shown that Cryoballoon PVI is a safe, effective day case procedure. PVI using the PolarX Cryoballoon was similarly safe and effective as the AFA Cryoballoon.
Study context
- Population
- Patients undergoing cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF), UK50% PolarX, 50% Arctic Front Advance (AFA)
- Participants
- 1,688 patients
- Exposure
- PolarX Cryoballoon vs Arctic Front Advance Cryoballoon
- Outcome
- Safety, efficacy and feasibility of same day discharge for Cryoballoon PVI
Methodological details12 centres
- 12 centres
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Successful PVI, day case procedure and complications (all patients)
Successful PVI
1677
99.3%
Day case procedures
97.2%
n = 1641
Complication rate
<1%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- PolarX cryoablation metrics
- −54.6 ± 7.6°C · Nadir temperature · Temperature at 30 s −38.6 ± 7.2°C · Time to −40°C 34.1 ± 13.7 s · Time to isolation 49.8 ± 33.2 s
Independent predictors of achieving PVI
- Time to reach −40°C, OR
- 1.34; P < 0.001
- Nadir temperature, OR
- 1.24; P < 0.001
- Time to −40°C cut-off ≤34 s, AUC
- 0.73; P < 0.001
- Nadir temperature cut-off ≤−54.0°C, AUC
- 0.71; P < 0.001
Safety
Complications (all patients)
- Complication rate
- <1%
- PolarX safety comparable with AFA
Original publication
Atrial fibrillation cryoablation is an effective day case treatment: the UK PolarX vs. Arctic Front Advance experience. Europace. Published 21 September 2023. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it