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Ablation procedures performed with the anatomical design are more predictable when compared to contact-force radiofrequency procedures.2
N: 570
Mean: 84.7 minutes
Standard deviation: 20.5
Frequency of > 1.5x median: 3.2%
N: 595
Mean: 171.3 minutes
Standard deviation: 48.2
Frequency of > 1.5x median: 8.9%
Due to its safety and efficacy profile, and short procedural time, Medtronic cryoballoon ablation is the preferable option for AF ablation.3
Cryoballoon ablation is associated with a 21-minute shorter procedural time (p < 0.001) when compared with RF ablation.3
Medtronic cryoballoon ablation supports EP lab efficiencies transition from two to three PVI cases per day with focus on two operational areas4:
53%
>90%
60%
Same-day discharge may be safe and feasible in select patients*5 and has potential to reduce healthcare costs.
Low rate of PVI-related complications and readmissions occurred in the SDD group:
When 50% of every 100 patients had SDD, hospital cost savings ranged from $45,825 to $83,813 per year across geographically diverse U.S. hospitals.
Dr. Suneet Mittal and Dr. Rob Kowal share concepts and practices for same-day discharge for cryoablation procedures.
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PVI using the Medtronic cryoballoon can be performed with low fluoroscopy and no radiopaque contrast agent.
Over 46 months, a progressive reduction in fluoroscopy time and radiation exposure to patients and staff was found, without an increase in complications and without compromising the goal of achieving complete PVI.6
Common practices and tools include:
Dr. Devi Nair shares her experience with, and techniques for, minimizing fluoroscopy during cryoablation procedures.
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Moderate sedation can be used with Medtronic cryoballoon7 which may benefit patient and hospital including:
When analgesics and/or sedatives are used, follow breathing management practices per treatment guidelines. At all times, it is the professional responsibility of the practitioner to exercise independent clinical judgment in a particular situation.
Dr. Rod Passman and Dr. Erik Wissner share their perspectives on moderate sedation with the cryoballoon.
Log in to Medtronic Academy to view the video.
Learn more about predictability, efficiency, and additional protocols and access peer-to-peer programs, manuals, and further education on Medtronic Academy.
Select patients without intraprocedural complications.
Colilla S, Crow A, Petkun W, Singer DE, Simon T, Liu X. Estimates of current and future incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the U.S. adult population. Am J Cardiol. October 15, 2013;112(8):1142–1147.
Monnickendam G, de Asmundis C. Why the distribution matters: Using discrete event simulation to demonstrate the impact of the distribution of procedure times on hospital operating room utilisation and average procedure cost. Oper Res Health Care. March 2018;16:20–28.
Fortuni F, Casula M, Sanzo A, et al. Meta-Analysis Comparing Cryoballoon Versus Radiofrequency as First Ablation Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation. Am J Cardiol. 2020;125(8):1170–1179.
Kowalski M, Su WW, Holbrook R, Sale A, Braegelmann KM, Calkins H; STOP Persistent Investigators. Impact of Cryoballoon Ablation on Electrophysiology Lab Efficiency During the Treatment of Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A Subanalysis of the STOP Persistent AF Study. J Invasive Cardiol. 2021;33(7):E522–E530.
Sahashi Y, Kawamura I, Aikawa T, et al. Safety and feasibility of same-day discharge in patients receiving pulmonary vein isolation-systematic review and a meta-analysis. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2022;63(2):251–258.
Reiss J, O'Connell H, Getman MK. Achieving contrast-free ultra-low radiation exposure without compromising safety and acute efficacy through evolving AF cryoballoon ablation procedure techniques. Int J Cardiol. 2020;299:153–159.
Wasserlauf J, Knight BP, Li Z, et al. Moderate Sedation Reduces Lab Time Compared to General Anesthesia during Cryoballoon Ablation for AF Without Compromising Safety or Long-Term Efficacy. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2016;39(12):1359–1365.