Cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation - is cryoenergy applied only to the pulmonary vein ostium?

Abstract

This case report shows that cryoablation of pulmonary veins (PV) may occasionally result in deeper lesions than expected and collateral damage in spite of proper ostial positioning of cryoballoon. The use of intracardiac vascular ultrasound and repeated computed tomography enabled detailed examination of these findings.

Keywords: cryoballoon ablation; intravascular ultrasound; lung; pulmonary vein ostium.