Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparison of efficacy and safety of laser balloon and cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation—a meta-analysis

  • Reviews
  • Published:
Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Laser balloon (LB) and cryoballoon (CB) ablation are two balloon-based catheter ablation technologies used for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in recent years. However, the efficacy and the safety of LB ablation in comparison to CB ablation remained indeterminate. We sought to compare these two technologies by conducting meta-analysis of previous studies using both the CB and LB ablation systems for AF ablation.

Methods

We searched electronic scientific databases for studies of LB vs. CB ablation in AF patients. The procedural efficacy was assessed by the success of acute pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and the 12-month recurrence of any atrial arrhythmia, and the safety was evaluated by the risk of procedure-related complications.

Results

A total of 595 participants (LB, n = 292 vs. CB, n = 303) from eight studies were included in this meta-analysis. Risk of acute PVI failure (risk ratio, RR 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 2.55 [0.86–7.56], P = 0.09) and atrial arrhythmia recurrence in 12 months (RR [95% CI] = 0.91 [0.64–1.28], P = 0.59) were comparable between LB vs. CB ablation, and LB ablation tended to be more effective than CB ablation in paroxysmal AF patients (RR [95% CI] = 0.70 [0.47–1.03], P = 0.07). Risk of procedure-related complications was similar while LB ablation showed slightly higher risk without statistic significance (LB 13.9% vs. CB 9.3%, RR [95% CI] = 1.52 [0.88–2.64], P = 0.14). Compared with CB ablation, LB ablation led to longer procedure duration (weighted mean differences WMD [95% CI] =29.7 [15.8–43.7], P < 0.001) while similar fluoroscopy duration was observed between these two ablation devices (WMD [95% CI] = − 1.99[− 6.46–2.47], P = 0.38).

Conclusions

LB ablation has a trend toward higher procedural efficacy compared with CB ablation in paroxysmal AF patients. However, longer procedure duration and a statistically non-significant trend of more procedure-related complications were also observed in patients ablated by LB. Further larger comparative randomized trials are warranted to disclose the impact of LB compared with CB for ablation of AF.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Calkins H, Hindricks G, Cappato R, Kim YH, Saad EB, Aguinaga L, et al. 2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation. Europace. 2018;20(1):e1–e160. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eux274.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Verma A, Jiang C-Y, Betts TR, Chen J, Deisenhofer I, Mantovan R, et al. Approaches to catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(19):1812–22. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1408288.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Kuck K-H, Brugada J, Fürnkranz A, Metzner A, Ouyang F, Chun KRJ, et al. Cryoballoon or radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2016;374(23):2235–45. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1602014.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Packer DL, Kowal RC, Wheelan KR, Irwin JM, Champagne J, Guerra PG, et al. Cryoballoon ablation of pulmonary veins for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;61:1713–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2012.11.064.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Dukkipati SR, Cuoco F, Kutinsky I, Aryana A, Bahnson TD, Lakkireddy D, et al. Pulmonary vein isolation using the visually guided laser balloon: a prospective, multicenter, and randomized comparison to standard radiofrequency ablation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015;66(12):1350–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2015.07.036.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Dukkipati SR, Woollett I, Mc EH, Bohmer MC, Doshi SK, Gerstenfeld EP, et al. Pulmonary vein isolation using the visually guided laser balloon: results of the U.S. feasibility study. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2015;26:944–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/jce.12727.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Schmidt B, Neuzil P, Luik A, Osca Asensi J, Schrickel JW, Deneke T, et al. Laser balloon or wide-area circumferential irrigated radiofrequency ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation: a multicenter prospective randomized study. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2017;10(12):e005767. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.117.005767.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bordignon S, Chun KR, Gunawardene M, Fuernkranz A, Urban V, Schulte-Hahn B, et al. Comparison of balloon catheter ablation technologies for pulmonary vein isolation: the laser versus cryo study. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2013;24(9):987–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/jce.12192.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Schmidt B, Gunawardene M, Krieg D, Bordignon S, Furnkranz A, Kulikoglu M, et al. A prospective randomized single-center study on the risk of asymptomatic cerebral lesions comparing irrigated radiofrequency current ablation with the cryoballoon and the laser balloon. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2013;24(8):869–74. https://doi.org/10.1111/jce.12151.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Kumar N, Blaauw Y, Timmermans C, Pison L, Vernooy K, Crijns H. Adenosine testing after second-generation balloon devices (cryothermal and laser) mediated pulmonary vein ablation for atrial fibrillation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2014;41(1):91–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-014-9921-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Wissner E, Metzner A, Neuzil P, Petru J, Skoda J, Sediva L, et al. Asymptomatic brain lesions following laserballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation. Europace. 2014;16(2):214–9. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut250.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Casella M, Dello Russo A, Russo E, Al-Mohani G, Santangeli P, Riva S, et al. Biomarkers of myocardial injury with different energy sources for atrial fibrillation catheter ablation. Cardiol J. 2014;21:516–23. https://doi.org/10.5603/CJ.a2013.0153.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Tsyganov A, Petru J, Skoda J, Sediva L, Hala P, Weichet J, et al. Anatomical predictors for successful pulmonary vein isolation using balloon-based technologies in atrial fibrillation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2015;44(3):265–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-015-0068-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Stockigt F, Kohlmann AT, Linhart M, Nickenig G, Andrie RP, Beiert T, et al. Laserballoon and cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation in persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2016;39(10):1099–107. https://doi.org/10.1111/pace.12929.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Perrotta L, Konstantinou A, Bordignon S, Fuernkranz A, Dugo D, Chun KJ, et al. What is the acute antral lesion size after pulmonary vein isolation using different balloon ablation technologies? Circ J. 2017;81(2):172–9. https://doi.org/10.1253/circj.CJ-16-0345.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Gal P, Ooms JF, Ottervanger JP, Smit JJ, Adiyaman A, Ramdat Misier AR, et al. Association between pulmonary vein orientation and atrial fibrillation-free survival in patients undergoing endoscopic laser balloon ablation. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2015;16(7):799–806. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjci/jeu321.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Perrotta L, Bordignon S, Dugo D, Furnkranz A, Chun KJ, Schmidt B. How to learn pulmonary vein isolation with a novel ablation device: learning curve effects using the endoscopic ablation system. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2014;25(12):1293–8. https://doi.org/10.1111/jce.12491.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Dukkipati SR, Neuzil P, Kautzner J, Petru J, Wichterle D, Skoda J, et al. The durability of pulmonary vein isolation using the visually guided laser balloon catheter: multicenter results of pulmonary vein remapping studies. Heart Rhythm. 2012;9(6):919–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2012.01.019.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Figueras IVRM, Margulescu AD, Benito EM, Alarcon F, Enomoto N, Prat-Gonzalez S, et al. Postprocedural LGE-CMR comparison of laser and radiofrequency ablation lesions after pulmonary vein isolation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2018;29(8):1065–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/jce.13616.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Bordignon S, Chun KR, Gunawardene M, Urban V, Kulikoglu M, Miehm K, et al. Energy titration strategies with the endoscopic ablation system: lessons from the high-dose vs. low-dose laser ablation study. Europace. 2013;15(5):685–9. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eus352.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Okumura Y, Henz BD, Bunch TJ, Dalegrave C, Johnson SB, Packer DL. Distortion of right superior pulmonary vein anatomy by balloon catheters as a contributor to phrenic nerve injury. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2009;20(10):1151–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-8167.2009.01495.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. MRA-Ohoo R, Zheng Q, Doros G. Laser balloon ablation for AF: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1111/jce.13698.

  23. Neumann T, Vogt J, Schumacher B, Dorszewski A, Kuniss M, Neuser H, et al. Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation with the cryoballoon technique results from a prospective 3-center study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008;52(4):273–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2008.04.021.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Straube F, Dorwarth U, Vogt J, Kuniss M, Heinz Kuck K, Tebbenjohanns J, et al. Differences of two cryoballoon generations: insights from the prospective multicentre, multinational FREEZE Cohort Substudy. Europace. 2014;16(10):1434–42. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu162.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Metzner A, Wissner E, Lin T, Ouyang F, Kuck KH. Balloon devices for atrial fibrillation therapy. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev. 2015;4(1):58–61. https://doi.org/10.15420/aer.2015.4.1.58.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was supported by the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (no. 16140904602) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (81470450, 81470451, 81600270).

Author information

Author notes

  1. Yue Wei and Ning Zhang contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin No. 2 Road, Shanghai, 201204, China

    Yue Wei, Ning Zhang, Qi Jin, Wenqi Pan, Yucai Xie, Kang Chen, Tianyou Ling, Changjian Lin, Yangyang Bao, Qingzhi Luo, Chaofan Xing & Liqun Wu

Authors
  1. Yue Wei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ning Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Qi Jin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Wenqi Pan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yucai Xie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Kang Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Tianyou Ling
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Changjian Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Yangyang Bao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Qingzhi Luo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Chaofan Xing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Liqun Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Liqun Wu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval was not required for this study design.

Electronic supplementary material

Figure S1

(DOCX 15937 kb)

Table S1

(DOCX 99 kb)

Table S2

(DOCX 73 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wei, Y., Zhang, N., Jin, Q. et al. Comparison of efficacy and safety of laser balloon and cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation—a meta-analysis. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 54, 237–245 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-018-0474-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-018-0474-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation