Discussion
To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the long term
outcomes of patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation
undergoing catheter ablation with an index cryo-ablation strategy, and
the largest reported series to date. The primary findings were:
- Cryoablation was an effective index approach with long term single and
multi-procedure freedom from atrial arrhythmia comparable to
contemporary studies of patients with heart failure undergoing RF
ablation.
- Cryoablation in patients with heart failure was safe with relatively
low complications rates.
- Cryoablation is an effective index strategy in improving ventricular
function and functional capacity in the setting of AF and heart
failure.