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Second-generation cryoballoon vs. contact-force sensing radiofrequency catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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Abstract

Objectives

It is imperative to understand the influence of second-generation cryoballoon (CB-2) and contact-force sensing radiofrequency ablation (CF-RF) on clinical outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF). This updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examined the efficacy and safety of CB-2 vs. CF-RF in patients with AF.

Methods

RCTs on the use of CB-2 vs. CF-RF in patients with AF were included. The primary outcome was the recurrence of AF, and the key secondary outcomes included serious complications, acute pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), procedure duration, and fluoroscopy time.

Results

A total of 261 articles were identified, and five studies with a total of 845 participants were included in the study. A total of 93% of participants had paroxysmal AF, 7% of participants had persistent AF, and none of participants had permanent AF. There were 499 participants in the CB-2 arm and 346 in the CF-RF arm. AF recurrence was comparable in the CB-2 group (30.3%) and the CF-RF group (29.2%) (OR = 0.93; 95%CI = 0.56–1.54; P = 0.79; I2 = 48%). There were no statistical differences in acute PVI (P = 0.92; I2 = 0%) and serious complications (P = 0.87; I2 = 47%) between the two groups. The procedure duration was shorter in the CB-2 group than in the CF-RF group (MD = − 13.39; 95%CI = − 15.58, − 7.19; P < 0.0001; I2 = 59%).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that CB-2 and CF-RF had comparable recurrences of AF and similar incidences of serious complications in AF patients during the ablation process.

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

This study was sponsored by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province of China (ZR2019PH036) and the Key Research and Development Plan of Jinan Shandong Province of China (201805056).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China

    Yang Wang

  2. Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China

    Wei Wang, Lianghua Chen & Shaolei Yi

  3. Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, 324 Jingwulu, Jinan, 250010, Shandong Province, China

    Wei Wang & Shaolei Yi

  4. Department of Cardiology, Jinan Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China

    Jianming Yao

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  1. Yang Wang
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  5. Shaolei Yi
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Correspondence to Shaolei Yi.

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Wang, Y., Wang, W., Yao, J. et al. Second-generation cryoballoon vs. contact-force sensing radiofrequency catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 60, 9–19 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-020-00893-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-020-00893-w

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