Experience with pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation by using a circular cryoablation catheter

Objective This study was to report our early experience with electrical isolation of pulmonary vein (PV) in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) by using a circular cryoablation catheter. Methods After electroanatomic model of LA/PVs was established by Carto, cryoablation was performed in each PV. If complete isolation of PVs could not be achieved, then additional radiofrequency ablations would be applied to ablate the conduction gaps. Results Cryoablation was performed in totally 58 PVs in 14 cases with paroxysmal AF. Thirty-one PVs (53.4%) were successfully isolated with the single use of the circular cryoablation catheter after 2 to 5 (3.2±1.5) cryoablation, while 2 to 4 additional radiofrequency ablations needed to be applied at gaps on the circular cryoablation lines to achieve completely isolation in 27 PVs (46.6%). After a follow up of 18±7 months, 11 patients (78.6%) remained AF free. Selective pulmonary venography immediately and repeat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan at 3 months post procedure showed there was no PV stenosis. Conclusion The circular cryoablation catheter can be safely used in the isolation of PVs in paroxysmal AF, But the efficacy of this technique needs to be further improved.