The first use of cryoablation in the treatment of arrhythmia has already been described over 40 years ago [1]. Since the introduction of cryoballoon in pulmonary veins isolation in atrial fibrillation treatment, the method has started to attract a lot of interest. Over 350,000 procedures around the word were carried out only by 2018 [2]. Recently, there have been several new publications on the results of second-generation cryoballoon ablation [2, 3, 4]. In view of technology changes, and to summarize years of experience in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, the first Cryousers conference was organized, and held in 2018 in Poland. During this meeting a survey was conducted, obtaining data on the practice of atrial fibrillation treatment in 38 Polish electrophysiological centers performing cryoablation of atrial fibrillation using both balloons, Arctic Front Advance, Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis MN, and radiofrequency point by point ablation. Around 3,745 cryoballoon procedures were performed in the surveyed centers during the year preceding the survey. The survey concerned practical issues related to the qualification and preparation of patients for the procedure, its course, and the results of pulmonary veins isolation in Poland.
Outcome of contact force-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation or second generation cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: propensity score matched analysis
