Safety and Efficacy using second-generation cryoballoon in patients with
atrial fibrillation with a Common Ostium of Inferior Pulmonary Veins
Abstract
Background: A common ostium of inferior pulmonary veins (COIPV) is a
kind of unusual pulmonary veins variation. Limited data are available
about the safety and efficacy using the second‐generation cryoballoon
(CB) ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation with such an
anatomical variation. Methods: A total of 10 (0.57%) patients with a
common ostium of inferior pulmonary veins from a consecutive series of
1751 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were included.
Pulmonary vein isolation was performed using the second‐generation CB.
Results: PV isolation was successfully achieved in all PVs without the
need of additional focal catheter procedures. CB could occlude and
cryotherapy each inferior PV respectively. The mean number of freeze
cycles of inferior PVs in each patient was 2.5±1.6, and 2.1±0.9,
respectively. The mean time to isolation and nadir temperature were
54.3±22.1, 53.2±22.2 seconds and -39.7±3.4°C, -43.9±7.5°C, respectively.
No procedure-related complications occurred in any of the 10 patients. 8
of 10 patients (80%) had no atrial arrhythmia recurrences without the
use of antiarrhythmic drugs during a follow-up period of 24±13 months.
Conclusion: The incidence of a common ostium of inferior pulmonary veins
is 0.57% in present study. PV isolation with this unusual anatomic
variation using the second‐generation 28‐mm CB is effective and safe.