Feasibility and safety of left atrial posterior wall isolation with a
new Cryoballoon technology in patients with persistent atrial
fibrillation
Abstract
Introduction: Left atrial posterior wall isolation (LAPWI) is often
performed in addition to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) to improve
outcome in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). In this
setting, LAPWI + PVI using cryoballoon ablation had comparable results
with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The aim of the study is to evaluate
the feasibility and safety of a new cryoballoon ablation system in PVI +
LAPWI isolation, comparing it with the historical platform. Methods: The
study was a prospective, non-randomized, single center study. Forty
consecutive patients, undergoing PVI + LAPWI with the novel POLARx™,
were compared to 40 consecutive patients who underwent the same
procedure with the established Arctic Front Advance PRO™. Results: Acute
isolation was achieved in all PVs in both groups and LAPWI was achieved
in 38 patients (95%) in the POLARx group and in 36 patients (90%) in
Arctic Front group. Procedural outcomes were similar between the two
groups, except for lower temperatures during cryoapplications in the
POLARx group, for both PVI and LAPWI. The complication rate was low and
similar between groups. Conclusion: LAPWI+PVI with the novel POLARx™
Cryoballoon is feasible and safe; the results are comparable with the
Arctic Front Advance PRO™ system.