Introduction: The major limitation of the current cryoballoon (CB) system is a fixed 28 mm balloon-size. We sought to analyze real-world early experience with novel-sized adjustable CB.
Methods: This multicenter observational study included 140 consecutive atrial fibrillation patients (71 years, 94 men, 86 paroxysmal) who underwent pulmonary vein (PV) isolation using expandable diameter CB capable of ablation at 28 or 31 mm.
Results: Out of 544 targeted PVs, 526 (96.7%) were successfully isolated by a size-adjustable CB with a 770 [690-870] second median application dose, while the remaining 18 required touch-up ablation. Among them, 326 (62.0%) PVs were isolated by a 31 mm balloon, and the rate was significantly higher for upper than lower PVs (73.0% vs. 45.7%, p < .0001) and highest for right superior (78.5%) and lowest for right inferior (39.9%) PVs. The biophysical parameters and time to isolation were comparable between the 28 and 31 mm balloons, however, the real-time PV potential monitoring capability was significantly higher for 31 mm than 28 mm balloons for the left superior PV. The esophageal temperature reached 15°C during left inferior PV ablation significantly more often with 31 mm than 28 mm balloons (43.1% vs. 18.2%, p = .008). Right phrenic nerve injury (PNI) occurred in 9 (6.4%) patients during applications (6 right superior, 2 right inferior PVs), and most occurred with a 31 mm balloon.
Conclusions: Our real-world early data demonstrated high acute efficacy and safety of the novel-sized adjustable CB. The biophysical parameters were similar between the 28 and 31 mm balloons. No marked decrease in the incidence of PNI was observed even with 31 mm balloons.
Keywords: atrial fibrillation; catheter ablation; cryoballoon; pulmonary vein isolation.
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