Are Balloon Based Strategies Better Than Conventional Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation: Exploring New Frontiers In The Treatment Of Atrial Fibrillation.

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation can be eliminated with continuous circular linear lesions around the pulmonary veins using radiofrequency ablation. Due to the technical complexity of this procedure balloon-based devices have been developed to simplify pulmonary vein isolation. Cryoballoon ablation provides excellent safety and is technically less demanding when compared to radiofrequency catheter ablation in selected patients. In this review, advantages as well as drawbacks of this emerging technology in relation to standard catheter ablation are discussed.