title: Repeat procedure using radiofrequency energy for recurrence of atrial fibrillation after initial cryoballoon ablation: a 2-year follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The ideal energy source needed to perform 're-isolation' of the pulmonary veins (PVs) during a repeat procedure for recurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been established yet. In this study we analysed the outcome of repeat procedure using radiofrequency (RF) energy after initial cryoballoon (CB) ablation at 2-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consecutive patients having undergone PVs isolation as repeat procedure for recurrent AF after an initial CB ablation were eligible for this study. Twenty-nine patients (22 male 76%, mean age: 55 ± 17 years) were included. Mean time to repeat ablation was 12 ± 7 months. Recovered PV conduction could be documented in a mean 2.45 ± 0.7 veins in each patient. At mean 20.2 ± 10.7 months follow-up, a total of 16 patients (55%) were free of AF at without antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). An adjunctive 31% was AF free with previously ineffective AADs. A major complication with no permanent clinical sequelae occurred only in one patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Repeat RF ablation following CB in case of AF recurrence is effective and safe.
authors.affiliation: Heart Rhythm Management Centre, UZ Brussel-VUB, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.forename: Gian-Battista
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Chierchia
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sieira
authors.forename: Moises
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levinstein
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casado-Arroyo
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Asmundis
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarkozy
authors.forename: Moises
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Manero
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Giovanni
authors.forename: Giannis
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baltogiannis
authors.forename: Kristel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wauters
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brugada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
keywords: Atrial Fibrillation; Cryoballoon; Radiofrequency ablation