Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Comparison of Extended Cryoballoon, Standard Cryoballoon, and Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
Authors' conclusion
In patients with persistent AF, CB ablation was found to be as effective as RF ablation. The addition of posterior wall isolation using CB ablation did not improve the rhythm outcomes compared with standard CB ablation.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with persistent AF, 2 sites in South Korea
- Participants
- 288 patients
- Comparison
- Extended cryoballoon (CB) vs standard CB vs radiofrequency (RF) ablation
- Primary endpoint
- Recurrence of atrial arrhythmia (AF or atrial tachycardia) after a 3-month blanking period, off antiarrhythmic drugs
- Follow-up
- 12 months
Methodological detailsmulticentre, adjudicator-blinded, 3 arms
- Multicentre
- Adjudicator-blinded
- 3 arms
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence
P = 0.787
Further findings
Freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence, regardless of antiarrhythmic drug use · 12 months
- Similar across RF vs standard CB vs extended CB
- 51.5% vs 50.0% vs 49.1%; P = 0.924
Freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence after 1 or 2 procedures · 12 months
- Similar across RF vs standard CB vs extended CB
- 57.9 vs 52.9% vs 52.2%; P = 0.945
Direct current cardioversion
- No significant difference, RF vs standard CB vs extended CB
- 9.6% vs 10.2% vs 4.2%; P = 0.236
CV hospitalization
- No significant difference, RF vs standard CB vs extended CB
- 3.2% vs 0% vs 2.1%; P = 0.170
Safety
Major adverse events
- Major adverse events: P > 0.99
Original publication
Comparison of Extended Cryoballoon, Standard Cryoballoon, and Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Patients With Persistent AF. JACC Clin Electrophysiol. Published 1 September 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →