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Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in the Era of Cryoballoon and Force-Sensing Catheters: Freeze or Burn?

  • Arrhythmia (D Spragg, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Opinion statement

Atrial fibrillation can adversely affect the quality of life for many patients. Though antiarrhythmic drug therapy remains an option for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, the drugs are associated with numerous side effects. Atrial fibrillation ablation has been shown to be as efficacious as antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The field of atrial fibrillation ablations has evolved over time from utilizing radiofrequency energy to using cryoenergy. Newer technologies are being developed with efforts to improve outcomes in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablations. This article will highlight two such technologies: cryoballoon ablation catheters and contact force-sensing catheters. These novel catheters appear to be further revolutionizing this young field in electrophysiology.

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References and Recommended Reading

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •• Of major importance

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Shaun Bhatty and Dr. Anastasios Saliaris each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. University of Maryland Medical Center, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Shaun Bhatty MD & Anastasios P. Saliaris MD

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  1. Shaun Bhatty MD
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  2. Anastasios P. Saliaris MD
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Correspondence to Anastasios P. Saliaris MD.

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Bhatty, S., Saliaris, A.P. Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in the Era of Cryoballoon and Force-Sensing Catheters: Freeze or Burn?. Curr Treat Options Cardio Med 17, 17 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11936-015-0374-1

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