PV ablation with the cryoballoon technique is feasible and seems to have a similar success rate in comparison to RF ablation. Procedure- and fluoroscopy duration are not longer than in conventional RF ablation.

Compared with controls, AF itself seems to decrease LA deformation capabilities. The assessment of global LA strain with 2D-ST identifies patients with high risk for AF recurrence after ablation procedures. This imaging technique may help to improve therapeutic guiding for patients with AF.

Owing to a higher primary ablation success rate and reduced incidence of char/coagulum formation, gold may be preferred over Pt-Ir as electrode material for 8 mm tip catheters for CTI ablation. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00326001 (http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00326001).

LA pressure, AF type, and LA volume index are independent predictors for recurrence of AF after PVI. LA pressure may be helpful especially in patients with small atria, where AF type is not predictive.

The extraordinarily high prevalence of sleep apnea in patients with recurrent paroxysmal AF supports its presumable role in the pathogenesis of AF and demands further controlled prospective trials. Moreover, OSA should inherently be considered in patients with therapy-resistant AF.

Fluoroscopic assessment of diaphragm movement during spontaneous breathing is more sensitive for detection PNP as compared to SVC pacing. PNP as assessed by fluoroscopy is frequent (20.0%) and carries a high rate of recovery (89%) until discharge. Early onset of PNP and use of 23 mm cryoballoon are associated with PNP persisting beyond hospital discharge.

The irrigated gold tip electrode allows to deliver significantly more energy at a lower electrode tip temperature in RFA of PV and CTI in comparison to the irrigated Pt tip electrode. The required saline flow during CTI ablation is much lower than in Pt.

), white (100%) and had a normal left ventricular function (LVEF 64 ± 9%). Polygraphic assessment was carried out before and 6 months after PVI. The prevalence of OSA, defined as an apneahypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 per hour of sleep, was 74% before PVI compared to 70% 6 months after the procedure (p > 0.05). Severity of OSA did not differ (AHI before vs. after: 18 ± 18/h vs. 15 ± 17/h, p > 0.05) (Cardiol J 2014; 21, 4: 392-396)