Catheter cryoablation of atrio-ventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. A clinical review.

Cryoablation is a new method in interventional cardiac electrophysiology for percutaneous catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. Cryothermal mapping enables the functional assessment of a particular site before permanent ablation. In this way, the targeted tissue may be confirmed as safe for ablation. This is useful in high risk ablation, for example, nex to the His bundle or the compact AV node. In the last decade, several studies have been addressed to AV-nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) cryoablation. Current experiences indicate that cryoablation for AV-nodal reentry tachycardia is effective and safe. However, its wide use seems to be somewhat limited by a slightly lower efficacy when compared to radiofrequency. Further studies evaluating long-term success of cryothermal ablation versus radiofrequency are warranted. However, for high-risk ablations, cryoenergy is very helpful and should be systematically used. This article is a review of acute and long-term effects of cryoablation in patients suffering of AV-nodal reentry tachycardia episodes.