ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Cryoballoon ablation (CB) has proven effective for treating patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). We analyzed our seven year follow-up of patients, treated for PAF with first (CB1) and second generation (CB2), with demonstration of LA-PV disconnection with bidirectional block (BB) after adenosine (AD). METHODS: Since November 2008 to May 2015, 128 patients, 97 male (58±7 years), without heart disease, highly symptomatic, refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) were treated, and follow-up (1411 ±727 days). Left atrial size: 37±6 mm. RESULTS: A total of 439 PV were successfully isolated (91.9%). Acute reconduction: 44 PV (9%): 16 after CB; 16 unmasked by AD; 12 extrapulmonary muscular connections (EMC). Main complication was phrenic nerve palsy (PNP): 9 (7 %). On follow-up, 114 patients (89%) remain asymptomatic in sinus rhythm (SR), free of medication. Fourteen patients (11%) had arrhythmia recurrence: 12 male (52±8 years). Early recurrences occurred in 9 male. Late recurrences presented 3 male at 24, 27 and 60 months, and 2 female at 7 and 40 months respectively. All recurrence patients were Redo, and remain in SR without medication during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: CB alone is very effective and safe for the definitive treatment of patients suffering PAF with 72.6% success rate, increasing up to 89.1% when this protocol is applied in a single procedure. After Redo, all population group (100%), remain in sinus rhythm, freedom of arrhythmia, without AAD, in this very long term follow-up. Checking for BB, AD protocol, and ruling out EMC allowed-us to identified 14.8% of patients with underlying substrate for potential arrhythmia recurrence. CB2 applications entail a highest risk of PNP. Patients with a rough estimated profile of low ALARMEc score (≤ 1) have an excellent long term outcome, being this series the largest follow-up described so far, for patients treated for PAF with CB.
