title: Complete pulmonary vein isolation using balloon cryoablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins and disconnection of the left atrial musculature from their arrhythmogenic effects is the cornerstone of definitive and curative treatment in patients with symptomatic recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation that is refractory to antiarrhythmic therapy. The type of lesion produced by balloon cryoablation is such that the tissue architecture is preserved and thrombus formation and the risk of pulmonary vein stenosis are reduced. We report on immediate outcomes in the first five patients who underwent treatment. These cases represent initial experience with the technique in Spain. A total of 20 pulmonary veins were treated and complete acute electrical isolation was achieved in all cases (100%). Patients were discharged from hospital within 72 hours of the procedure, and there were no complications. In conclusion, balloon cryoablation of the pulmonary veins is a practical, safe and effective technique for achieving the electrophysiologic goal of acute pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Electrofisiología, Unidad de Arritmias, Clínica Moncloa, Madrid, Spain. jpaylos@ircus.com
authors.forename: Jesús M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Paylos
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Hoyt
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berrio
authors.forename: Arancha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rey
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: Jesús J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Veiga
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Moreno
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D002404:Catheterization; D003452:Cryosurgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000601:surgery*