Endocardial hypothermia and pulmonary vein isolation with epicardial cryoablation in a porcine beating-heart model

Epicardial cryoablation can produce long-term pulmonary vein isolation in a beating heart. Dose-response studies demonstrate consistent endocardial hypothermia in tissues up to 7 mm thick. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting endocardial hypothermia during epicardial cryoablation. This technology holds promise for performing the complete maze procedure on a beating heart.