[Transcatheter cryoablation of tachycardia: principles and indications]

Cryoablation is used for definitive treatment of arrhythmias by catheter after a 4 min application of a -70 degrees C temperature. There are three main indications of this technique: (1) the treatment for intranodal tachycardia is commonly performed using cryoablation. Success rates are high with no atrio-ventricular block (AVB) risk, (2) the ablation of atrioventricular accessory pathways (Wolf Parkinson-White syndrome), close to His-bundle has a high success rate; the use of a cryo focal catheter avoid AVB risk, (3) the ablation of pulmonary vein potentials with a cryo-balloon in the left atrium for atrial fibrillation. The success rate is high, similar to that achieved with radiofrequency ablation. The cryoballoon procedure is easier to perform because ablation is done in a single step, with a circular application and not point by point. It is well tolerated because it is less painful. There is no risk of pulmonary vein stenosis or esophagus injury. It is less thrombogenic.