Repeat procedures after second-generation cryoballoon ablation as an index procedure for persistent atrial fibrillation: one-year follow-up

PURPOSE: Data indicate that the second-generation cryoballoon (Arctic Front Advance, Medtronic, Minnesota, USA) could be effective for persistent atrial fibrillation. However, electrophysiological findings and the midterm clinical outcome of repeat procedures following second-generation cryoballoon ablation are lacking.

METHODS: Consecutive patients with drug-resistant persistent atrial fibrillation who underwent a repeat ablation due to arrhythmia recurrence following an index procedure with second-generation cryoballoon were retrospectively included in our analysis. A total of 24 patients were included. Twenty underwent repeat procedures because of atrial fibrillation or left atrial arrhythmias and four because of typical atrial flutter. Mean time to recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias was 6.6 ± 3 months. Mean redo procedural time was 122 ± 23 min.

RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 11.8 ± 6.5 months, 15 patients (75 %) did not experience recurrence of atrial arrhythmias. Of the five patients (25 %) who had recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia, four presented with persistent atrial fibrillation and one with a mitral isthmus-dependent flutter. Of note is that the four patients with typical flutter were free from atrial tachycardia recurrence after the redo procedure. Two patients (9 %) underwent a third procedure. Mean time to recurrence of atrial arrhythmias from the repeat procedure was 9 ± 1 months.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that repeat ablation procedures following a second-generation cryoballoon ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation result in 75 % of freedom from any atrial tachycardia at 12 months follow-up. Of the recurrences, 63 % were due to new onset of atrial fibrillation and 37 % to organized tachycardias.