Cryoablation for Atrial Fibrillation in 2017: What Have We Learned?

Catheter ablation has become a standard technique for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the most important component of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation and balloon cryoablation can be used to achieve PVI. This review examines the biophysics and clinical efficacy of balloon cryoablation and discusses the potential advantages and disadvantages compared to RF ablation.