A Review of the Use of Cryoballoon Ablation for the Treatment of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

AbstractPurpose of ReviewCryoballoon ablation is the standard-of-care treatment for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, but its efficacy in addressing persistent atrial fibrillation is unclear. Current research is underway to identify origins of persistent atrial fibrillation in locations outside of the pulmonary veins, which are likely high-yield targets for catheter ablation.Recent FindingsRandomized studies suggest that targeting non-pulmonary vein (PV) locations has not proven to significantly improve outcomes in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. A growing body of evidence suggests that cryoballoon ablation achieves freedom from persistent atrial fibrillation with pulmonary vein isolation alone.SummaryUse of cryoballoon ablation for non-PV regions is ongoing but still novel. Application of the cryoballoon to non-PV regions may improve with further development of the cryoballoon catheter.
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research