Background: The cryoballoon (CB) represents the gold standard single-shot device for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Single-shot pulsed field PVI ablation (nonthermal, cardiac tissue selective) has recently entered the arena. We sought to compare procedural data and long-term outcome of both techniques.
Methods: Consecutive AF patients who underwent pulsed field ablation (PFA) and CB-based PVI were enrolled. CB PVI was performed using the second-generation 28-mm CB; PFA was performed using a 31/35-mm pentaspline catheter. Success was defined as freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia after a 3-month blanking period.
Results: Four hundred patients were included (56.5% men; 60.8% paroxysmal AF; age 70 [interquartile range, 59-77] years), 200 in each group (CB and PFA), and baseline characteristics did not differ. Acute PVI was achieved in 100% of PFA and in 98% (196/200) of CB patients (P=0.123; 4 touch-up ablations). Median procedure time was significantly shorter in PFA (34.5 [29-40] minutes) versus CB (50 [45-60] minutes; P<0.001), fluoroscopy time was similar. Overall procedural complications were 6.5% in CB and 3.0% in PFA (P=0.1), driven by a higher rate of phrenic nerve palsies using CB. The 1-year success rates in paroxysmal AF (CB, 83.1%; PFA, 80.3%; P=0.724) and persistent AF (CB, 71%; PFA, 66.8%; P=0.629) were similar for both techniques.
Conclusions: PFA compared with CB PVI shows a similar procedural efficacy but is associated with shorter procedure time and no phrenic nerve palsies. Importantly, 12-month clinical success rates are favorable but not different between both groups.
Keywords: atrial fibrillation; catheter; electroporation; myocardium; pulmonary vein.