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Updated: Nov 29, 2025

Cooling or Warming the Esophagus to Reduce Esophageal Injury During Left Atrial Ablation in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: March 15, 2020
Updates in Cryotherapy for Barrett's Esophagus
Charlotte N Frederiks1, Marcia Irene Canto2, Bas L A M Weusten1
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St. Antonius Hospital, Koekoekslaan 1, PO Box 2500, 3430 EM Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
Cryotherapy is an ablation modality relying on freeze-thaw cycles to promote cell death through intracellular ice crystal formation, ischemia, and apoptosis. Currently, 2 different cryotherapy systems are available for esophageal use. The first is cryospray ablation, which involves repetitive applications of liquid nitrogen. The second system, cryoballoon ablation, freezes the esophageal mucosa with liquid nitrous oxide using a compliant balloon. To date, studies have shown that cryotherapy is an effective and safe method for eradicating Barrett's esophagus; however, larger prospective series with longer follow-up are warranted to determine the clinical utility of cryotherapy in the treatment of Barrett's esophagus.
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