Highlights
– In the multicentre randomized CRRF‑PeAF trial (n=499), cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was non‑inferior to radiofrequency (RF) ablation for the composite endpoint of recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia at 1 year (after a 90‑day blanking period): 22.5% vs 23.2% respectively (HR 0.99; 95% CI 0.69–1.43; P = .96).
– At 1 year, RF ablation produced a greater median reduction in left atrial volume index than cryoballoon ablation: −11 mL/m2 (IQR −19 to −4) vs −4 mL/m2 (IQR −13 to 3), P < .001, suggesting more pronounced reverse atrial remodelling after RF‑based strategies in this cohort.
