Katheterablation von paroxysmalem Vorhofflimmern: großzügigere Indikationsstellung durch verbesserte Sicherheit der Pulmonalvenenisolation mittels Cryoballon – Fall 11/2011

Abstract

Compared to pharmacological rhythm control, interventional treatment has been established as more effective therapy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. However, patients should be referred to the ablation early enough to avoid structural atrial remodeling and thus transition into persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation. New technical developments e.g. cryoballoon catheter-system simplifies the procedure and has been reported to be effective and safe to use for circumferential pulmonary vein isolation. Should the very promising preclinical data on efficacy and safety of cryothermal energy ablation be confirmed by results of ongoing, controlled trials, the catheter ablation may become the fist-line treatment for all patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.