FREEZE Cohort Study

FREEZE Cohort Study

Safety and efficacy in radiofrequency (RF) or cryoballoon atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation will be investigated in a cohort study design in experienced electrophysiologic (EP) centers analyzing propensity-matched cohorts.

Prior to participation in the cohort-study each EP center had to perform a minimum of 50 RF or 50 cryoballoon approaches. To insure the consecutiveness of recruitment, participating centers have to announce the intention to ablate the patient prior to the procedure to the coordinating center in Ludwigshafen. After inclusion of 500 patients with well accepted criteria for AF ablation undergoing cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in experienced german EP centers inclusion of patients will be extended to european centers. A total of 4.000 patients will be included in the cohort-study, 2.000 in both the cryoballoon and the RF arm.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Documented paroxysmal AF (2 episodes of PAF within the last 3 months) or Persistent AF (lasting < 1 year)
• First ablation of AF
• Age ≥18 years
• Documented inefficacy of at least 1 AAD not including β-blockers
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Longstanding persistent AF lasting > 1 year
• Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
• Heart failure NYHA IV
• Thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia
• Any condition contraindicating chronic anticoagulation
• Stroke or TIA within 6 months prior to ablation
• Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism
• Pregnancy
• Life expectancy < 1 year