Outcome of contact force-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation or second generation cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: propensity score matched analysis

Abstract

Background Little has been reported on the outcome of contact force (CF)-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) and second generation cryoballoon ablation (CBA). Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of CF-guided RFCA and second generation CBA for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Methods We enrolled the consecutive 364 patients with PAF who underwent initial ablation between September 2014 and July 2018 in our hospital. We compared the late recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia more than three months after ablation between RFCA group and CBA group. All RFCA procedures were performed using CF-sensing catheter and all CBA procedures were performed using second generation CB. Results There were significant differences in background characteristics: chronic kidney disease, serum brain natriuretic peptide level, and left ventricular ejection fraction. After propensity score matched analysis (Table), atrial tachyarrhythmia free survival was significantly higher in CBA group than in RFCA group (Figure). Conclusions Second generation CBA showed a significantly lower late recurrence rate compared to CF-guided RFCA. Kaplan-Meier Curve Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None