Study limitations:
Our results should be interpreted in the context of the inherent limitations of our study design. Firstly, ours is a retrospective single-center study predominantly consisting of a Caucasian population, limiting the generalizability of the outcomes. Secondly, we documented recurrence by patient-reported symptoms supplemented by EKG’s and long-term cardiac rhythm monitoring. It is certainly possible that patients with asymptomatic recurrence of AF could have been missed. Thirdly, we did not specifically look at parameters of acute success such as nadir balloon temperature and degree of occlusion of the cryoballoon ablation catheter. Finally, other parameters of PV and LA anatomy such as the orientation of PV ostia and angulation in relation to the LA, length of PV trunks from ostium to bifurcation, and thickness of the left lateral ridge between the left PVs and LA appendage were not evaluated in our study.