The long-term efficacy of cryoballoon vs irrigated radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis

- This meta-analysis found that cryoballoon ablation provides an alternative approach to radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation with comparable long-term success rate.
- Acute pulmonary veins isolated, fluoroscopy time and procedural complications were similar between cryoballoon and radiofrequency ablation with the exception of transient phrenic nerve palsy.

ObjectivesThe main purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the long-term efficacy of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) with irrigated radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).MethodsThe Medline, Cochrane Library and Embase Database were searched for clinical studies published up to October 2014. Studies that fulfilled our predefined inclusion criteria were included. The primary clinical outcome was the proportion of patients free from AF (follow-up ≥ 3 months), and the secondary clinical outcomes included acute pulmonary vein (PV) isolated rate, fluoroscopy time, procedure time and complications.ResultsAfter a literature search in the major databases, three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and eight retrospective trials with a total of 1216 patients were identified. Pool-analysis demonstrated that, as compared RFCA, CBA was associated with a similar proportion of patients free from AF at a mean 16.5 months follow-up (66.9% vs 65.1%; relative risk [RR]: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.07, P = 0.87). Acute PV isolation rate (RR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.82 to 1.03) and fluoroscopy time (weighted mean difference WMD: − 8.60; 95% CI: − 18.29 to 3.69) were not statistically significant difference. The procedure time was shorter in CBA group ([WMD]: − 31.94; 95% CI: − 60.43 to − 3.45). Transient phrenic nerve palsy was uniquely observed in the CBA group (5.4%, P < 0.00001) and resolved in all during the follow-up period, total complication was similar in both groups (RR: 1.30; 95% CI: 0.91 to 1.85).ConclusionsCBA was as effective as RFCA for the treatment of atrial fibrillation during long-term follow-up with comparable procedural features.