Safety and Efficacy using second-generation cryoballoon in patients with atrial fibrillation with a Common Ostium of Inferior Pulmonary Veins

Background: A common ostium of inferior pulmonary veins (COIPV) is a kind of unusual pulmonary veins variation. Limited data are available about the safety and efficacy using the second‐generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation with such an anatomical variation. Methods: A total of 10 (0.57%) patients with a common ostium of inferior pulmonary veins from a consecutive series of 1751 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were included. Pulmonary vein isolation was performed using the second‐generation CB. Results: PV isolation was successfully achieved in all PVs without the need of additional focal catheter procedures. CB could occlude and cryotherapy each inferior PV respectively. The mean number of freeze cycles of inferior PVs in each patient was 2.5±1.6, and 2.1±0.9, respectively. The mean time to isolation and nadir temperature were 54.3±22.1, 53.2±22.2 seconds and -39.7±3.4°C, -43.9±7.5°C, respectively. No procedure-related complications occurred in any of the 10 patients. 8 of 10 patients (80%) had no atrial arrhythmia recurrences without the use of antiarrhythmic drugs during a follow-up period of 24±13 months. Conclusion: The incidence of a common ostium of inferior pulmonary veins is 0.57% in present study. PV isolation with this unusual anatomic variation using the second‐generation 28‐mm CB is effective and safe.