Comparative safety and effectiveness of cryoballoon versus radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Over the past fifty years, the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) has tripled. Traditionally, the main treatment for this condition has been pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) performed using radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). However, another technique known as cryoballoon...

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Main Authors: Muhammad Furqan, Ifrah Inbisat Raza, Shaheera Younus, Hareer Fatima, Hiba Azhar, Sania Kaneez Fatima, Laiba Ali, Sara Khan, Aayat Ellahi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-02-01
Series:The Egyptian Heart Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43044-025-00611-9
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author Muhammad Furqan
Ifrah Inbisat Raza
Shaheera Younus
Hareer Fatima
Hiba Azhar
Sania Kaneez Fatima
Laiba Ali
Sara Khan
Aayat Ellahi
author_facet Muhammad Furqan
Ifrah Inbisat Raza
Shaheera Younus
Hareer Fatima
Hiba Azhar
Sania Kaneez Fatima
Laiba Ali
Sara Khan
Aayat Ellahi
author_sort Muhammad Furqan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Over the past fifty years, the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) has tripled. Traditionally, the main treatment for this condition has been pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) performed using radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). However, another technique known as cryoballoon ablation (CBA) has been developed as another option for managing this heart rhythm disorder. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of CBA and RFCA for the treatment of AF. Methods This study compared the safety and effectiveness of CBA and RFCA for the treatment of AF using a thorough review of randomized controlled trials up until June 1, 2023. Results The results revealed that CBA and RFCA had similar effectiveness and safety profiles in achieving freedom from AF (RR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.93 to 1.07, p = 0.99) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) (RR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.10, p = 0.79). CBA was faster (MD =  − 23.99; 95% CI: − 32.98 to − 15.00; p < 0.00001) with a higher risk of phrenic nerve palsy (RR = 6.88; 95% CI: 3.26 to 14.50, p < 0.00001). Acute PVI rate (RR = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.01, p = 0.95), overall complications (RR = 1.37; 95% CI: 0.93 to 2.01, p = 0.11), pericardial effusion (RR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.25 to 1.41, p = 0.24), and fluoroscopy time (MD = 1.63; 95% CI: − 2.06 5.32; p = 0.39) did not significantly differ between the two procedures. Conclusions CBA and RFCA offer similar outcomes for patients with AF and PAF, with CBA being quicker but carrying a slightly higher risk of phrenic nerve palsy.
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publishDate 2025-02-01
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series The Egyptian Heart Journal
spelling doaj-art-e92a5ce7634b41b0b4f684fcaaa9280d2025-02-09T12:43:15ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Heart Journal2090-911X2025-02-0177111210.1186/s43044-025-00611-9Comparative safety and effectiveness of cryoballoon versus radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysisMuhammad Furqan0Ifrah Inbisat Raza1Shaheera Younus2Hareer Fatima3Hiba Azhar4Sania Kaneez Fatima5Laiba Ali6Sara Khan7Aayat Ellahi8Department of Internal Medicine, Student of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Neela GumbadDepartment of Medicine, Student of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical UniversityDepartment of Medicine, Student of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical UniversityDepartment of Medicine, Student of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical UniversityDepartment of Medicine, Student of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical UniversityDepartment of Medicine, Student of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical UniversityDepartment of Medicine, Student of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical UniversityDepartment of Medicine, Student of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical UniversityDepartment of Medicine, Student of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical UniversityAbstract Background Over the past fifty years, the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) has tripled. Traditionally, the main treatment for this condition has been pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) performed using radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). However, another technique known as cryoballoon ablation (CBA) has been developed as another option for managing this heart rhythm disorder. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of CBA and RFCA for the treatment of AF. Methods This study compared the safety and effectiveness of CBA and RFCA for the treatment of AF using a thorough review of randomized controlled trials up until June 1, 2023. Results The results revealed that CBA and RFCA had similar effectiveness and safety profiles in achieving freedom from AF (RR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.93 to 1.07, p = 0.99) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) (RR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.10, p = 0.79). CBA was faster (MD =  − 23.99; 95% CI: − 32.98 to − 15.00; p < 0.00001) with a higher risk of phrenic nerve palsy (RR = 6.88; 95% CI: 3.26 to 14.50, p < 0.00001). Acute PVI rate (RR = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.01, p = 0.95), overall complications (RR = 1.37; 95% CI: 0.93 to 2.01, p = 0.11), pericardial effusion (RR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.25 to 1.41, p = 0.24), and fluoroscopy time (MD = 1.63; 95% CI: − 2.06 5.32; p = 0.39) did not significantly differ between the two procedures. Conclusions CBA and RFCA offer similar outcomes for patients with AF and PAF, with CBA being quicker but carrying a slightly higher risk of phrenic nerve palsy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43044-025-00611-9Atrial fibrillationParoxysmal atrial fibrillationPulmonary vein isolationCryoballoonRadiofrequency ablation
spellingShingle Muhammad Furqan
Ifrah Inbisat Raza
Shaheera Younus
Hareer Fatima
Hiba Azhar
Sania Kaneez Fatima
Laiba Ali
Sara Khan
Aayat Ellahi
Comparative safety and effectiveness of cryoballoon versus radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The Egyptian Heart Journal
Atrial fibrillation
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Pulmonary vein isolation
Cryoballoon
Radiofrequency ablation
title Comparative safety and effectiveness of cryoballoon versus radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Comparative safety and effectiveness of cryoballoon versus radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Comparative safety and effectiveness of cryoballoon versus radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Comparative safety and effectiveness of cryoballoon versus radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Comparative safety and effectiveness of cryoballoon versus radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort comparative safety and effectiveness of cryoballoon versus radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation a systematic review and meta analysis
topic Atrial fibrillation
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Pulmonary vein isolation
Cryoballoon
Radiofrequency ablation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43044-025-00611-9
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