Cryoballoon ablation in Chinese patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: 1-year follow-up

Objectives We assessed the effectiveness and safety of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) in the Chinese population with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) with a 1-year follow-up and determined the association of early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ERAT) with late recurrence (LR). Methods A total of 114 patients (age 61 ± 10 years, 78 males) with paroxysmal AF who underwent CBA were consecutively enrolled. After procedures, patients were observed for 3 days with continuous electrocardiogram monitoring in the hospital with routine follow-up visits at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Documented atrial tachyarrhythmia >30 seconds was defined as recurrence. ERAT was defined as any recurrence during the first 3 months, and LR was recurrence between 3 and 12 months. Results With the first 3 months as blanking period, 76% of patients were free of LR at 12 months. Five patients (4%) experienced complications, including phrenic nerve palsy, stroke, and groin complications. Forty-five percent of patients had ERAT in the first 3 months and 31% of patients had ERAT in the first 3 days. Patients with ERAT had higher LR rate (LRR) than those without ERAT (43% vs 8%, P