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Updated: Feb 6, 2026
Direct Pressure Monitoring Accurately Predicts Pulmonary Vein Occlusion During Cryoballoon Ablation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Does second-generation cryoballoon ablation using the current single short freeze strategy produce pulmonary vein
Shinsuke Miyazaki1, Takatsugu Kajiyama1, Masahiro Hada1
1Department of Cardiovascular medicine, Fukui University, Fukui, Japan.
Background:
Few data are available regarding pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis after second-generation cryoballoon PV isolation (CB2-PVI). Currently, a single short freeze strategy is standard for CB2-PVI owing to enhanced cooling effects. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of PV stenosis after CB2-PVI with the current standard strategy.
Methods:
Two hundred seventy-six atrial fibrillation patients underwent CB2-PVI using one 28-mm balloon and single 3-minute freeze strategy. If balloon temperatures reached -60 °C or phrenic nerve injury was suspected, freezing was terminated. Enhanced cardiac computed tomography (CT) was obtained before and >3 months after the procedure.
Results:
Overall, 1067 of 1101 (96.9%) PVs were isolated with cryoballoons, while the remaining 34 PVs required touch-up ablation. The total application number/patient was 5.1 ± 1.4, and total application time 216 ± 104, 205 ± 77, 186 ± 68, and 246 ± 142 s for the left superior (LSPV), left inferior (LIPV), right superior (RSPV), and right inferior PVs, respectively. Follow-up CT obtained a median of 5.0 [3.3-7.0] months post-procedure revealed no PVs with moderate or severe stenosis. Asymptomatic mild stenosis was documented in 16 total (1.4%) PVs (5 LSPVs, 5 LIPVs, and 6 RSPVs), but not in right inferior, left common, right middle, or PVs requiring touch-up ablation. Mild stenosis did not progress during the follow-up. Among the potential factors associated with PV stenosis, longer application times were the sole significant factor associated with mild RSPV stenosis.
Conclusions:
In CB2-PVI with the current single short freeze strategy, the risk of PV stenosis is extremely low, and routine follow-up imaging for evaluation seems not to be necessary.
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