Pulmonary vein anatomy addressed by computed tomography and relation to success of second-generation cryoballoon ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Background Cryoballoon isolation is considered a safe and effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, recurrence of AF after first cryoballoon ablation occurs in similar to 30% of patients. Pre-procedurally identifying patients at risk of AF recurrence could be beneficial. Hypothesis Our aim was to determine how pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy influences the recurrence of AF using the second-generation cryoballoon in patients with paroxysmal AF. Methods We included 88 consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing PVI procedure with a second-generation 28-mm cryoballoon. All patients were evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months using a 12-lead ECG and 24-hour Holter monitoring. PV anatomy was assessed by creating three-dimensional models using computed tomography (CT) segmentations of the left atrium. Results Fifty-one patients (61%) had left PVs with a shared carina, 35 patients (42%) had a shared right carina. Nine patients (11%) were classified having a right middle PV. In total 17 (20.2%) of patients had a left common PV. At 12 months, 14 patients (17%) had experienced AF recurrence. Neither PV ovality, variant anatomy, the presence of shared carina nor a common left PV was a predictor for AF recurrence. Conclusions No specific characteristics of PV dimensions nor morphology were associated with AF recurrence after cryoballoon ablation in patients with paroxysmal AF.