The efficacy and safety of cryoballoon atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

While atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation has proven beneficial for heart failure (HF) patients, most reports were performed with radiofrequency ablation. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cryoballoon AF ablation in patients with HFrEF.

Method

We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane database from inception to December 2022. Studies that reported the outcomes of freedom from atrial arrhythmia, complications, NYHA functional class (NYHA FC), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after Cryoballoon AF ablation in HF patients were included. Data from each study were combined with a random-effects model.

Result

A total of 9 studies observational studies with 1414 HF patients were included. Five studies had only HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), 1 study with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and others with mixed HF types. Freedom from AA in HFrEF at 12 months was 64% (95% CI 56–71%, I² 58%). There was a significant improvement of LVEF in these patients with a standard mean difference of 13% (95% CI 8.6–17.5%, I² 99% P < 0.001. The complication rate in HFrEF group was 6% (95% CI 4–10%, I² 0%). The risk of recurrence of atrial arrhythmia was not significantly different between HF and no HF patients (RR 1.34, 95% CI 0.8–2.23, I2 76%).

Conclusion

Cryoballoon AF ablation is effective in HFrEF patients comparable to radiofrequency ablation. The complication rate was low.