Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Comparison of the residual unipolar voltage following left atrial posterior wall isolation with radiofrequency and cryoballoon catheters for persistent atrial fibrillation
Authors' conclusion
Residual unipolar LAPW potentials were more prevalent and associated with arrhythmia recurrence following RFA, whereas those residual potentials had no significant impact on recurrence after CBA.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF) who underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and left atrial posterior wall isolation (LAPWI), both evaluated as successful using bipolar voltage mappingRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) group 97 · cryoballoon ablation (CBA) group 86
- Participants
- 183 patients
- Comparison
- Residual unipolar LAPW potentials after LAPWI of persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF) between RFA and CBA
- RFA groupn = 97
- CBA groupn = 86
- Outcome
- Residual LAPW unipolar potentials >1.08 mV
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
P = 0.018
Further findings
Residual potential area · larger in the RFA group
P < 0.001
Maximum voltage · higher in the RFA group
P = 0.0093
| Outcome | RFA group | CBA group |
|---|---|---|
| Atrial arrhythmia recurrence rate, with vs without residual LAPW potentials · 1-year | ||
| With residual LAPW potentials vs without | 36.1% vs 18.0% | 15.4% vs 18.7% |
- Atrial arrhythmia recurrence rate, with vs without residual LAPW potentials: RFA group: higher with residual LAPW potentials, P = .033
- Atrial arrhythmia recurrence rate, with vs without residual LAPW potentials: CBA group: no significant difference, P = .98
Original publication
Comparison of the residual unipolar voltage following left atrial posterior wall isolation with radiofrequency and cryoballoon catheters for persistent atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm. Published 17 April 2025. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it