Cryoballoon Rotation Prevents Lowering of Luminal Esophageal Temperature

This analysis included 52 consecutive patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation with a cryoballoon whose luminal esophageal temperature was monitored using a probe. The researchers applied rotation in 19 patients and 20 pulmonary veins with a reduction of more than four degrees Celsius during freezing. There was a significant difference in minimum luminal esophageal temperature before and after rotation during cryoablation in the left superior pulmonary veins (P=0.02) and the right inferior pulmonary vein (P=0.002). “Cryoballoon rotational maneuvers during ablation can prevent significant reduction in LET and may prevent esophageal injury during the procedure,” the authors wrote.

Chen H, et al. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2019;doi:10.1111/pace.13767