Cryomap failure.
BACKGROUND
The use of cryomapping at a temperature of -30 degrees to produce reversible lesions has been reported to improve the safety of accessory pathways ablation performed close to the normal conduction system while maintaining efficacy.


METHODS
We reviewed all the ablation cases in which cryothermal technology was employed in our institution. Cryoablation and cryomapping temperature settings, number and time of the applications, recorded cardiac electrograms and ablation outcomes were analyzed.


RESULTS
In three of nine cases where cryoablation was used for accessory pathway ablation, cryomapping failed to identify the location of the pathway or to prevent AV block.


CONCLUSIONS
We postulate that currently recommended cryomapping settings are inadequate for all accessory pathways ablation.
Division of Cardiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 251 E. Huron, Feinberg Pavilion, Suite 8-536, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Vikram K
VK
Reddy
Roger
R
Villuendas
Andrew
A
Rudin
Jeffrey J
JJ
Goldberger
Alan H
AH
Kadish
D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery; D054537:Atrioventricular Block / Q000209:etiology; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D000075202:Contraindications; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006346:Heart Septum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000601:surgery; D013612:Tachycardia, Ectopic Atrial / Q000601:surgery; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014927:Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / Q000601:surgery