Cryoablation

CHICAGO — Initial treatment of paroxysmal AF with cryoballoon ablation lowered the incidence of AF progression by 75% at 3 years compared with antiarrhythmic drugs, according to results of the PROGRESSIVE-AF study.

Medtronic announced it received expanded indication for its cardiac cryoablation focal catheters from the FDA for the treatment of pediatric atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

By 2030, the number of people in the United States with atrial fibrillation will double to more than 12 million, making it imperative that patients receive the best treatments to improve outcomes and functional status.

The FDA granted a new indication to a cryoballoon ablation catheter that allows it to be used as a first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation, before antiarrhythmic drugs.

Radiofrequency vs. cryoballoon ablation for reducing atrial fibrillation burden in patients with paroxysmal AF.

Pulmonary vein isolation durability was similar after treatment with radiofrequency or cryoballoon catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, according to results of the RACE-AF trial.

Rhythm control with early ablation or antiarrhythmic drugs in patients with symptomatic untreated paroxysmal AF.

Cryoballoon ablation was associated with significant improvement over antiarrhythmic drugs as a first-line intervention in preventing atrial fibrillation events, according to the results of the EARLY-AF trial.

Cryoballoon ablation was safe and effective in patients with neoplastic Barrett’s esophagus, according to a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Researchers said a spike in cardiovascular events after the 2016 presidential election was possibly caused by sociopolitical stress. It was the top story in cardiology last week.