
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
The easy answer is that cryoablaton is newer there are fewer experienced cardiologists doing it.
Because the success of the ablation procedures for a-fib is operator dependant it is usually offered in larger academic centers while cardiologists gain experience.
Dr O.
1) Remember these are all catheter ablation procedures for A-fib done by a cardiologist (electrophysiologist)
2) Radiofrequency ablation was the first one peformed by the electrophysiologists so we have the most data about this procedure
3) The focus now is on improving long term efficacy and decreasing complications so we are looking at delivering (instead of radiofrequency to the pulmonary veins) cryothermal, laser and ultrasound energy through the balloons---stay tuned for results at these are only 1-2 years old
Dr O.