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. 2023 Aug 2;25(9):euad248.
doi: 10.1093/europace/euad248.

Novel or established cryoballoon ablation system for pulmonary vein isolation: the prospective ICE-AGE-1 study

Christian-Hendrik Heeger  1   2 , Sorin Stefan Popescu  1 , Tim Inderhees  1 , Noemi Nussbickel  1 , Charlotte Eitel  1 , Bettina Kirstein  1 , Huong-Lan Phan  1 , Sascha Hatahet  1 , Behnam Subin  1 , Anna Traub  1 , Niels Große  1 , Karl-Heinz Kuck  1 , Julia Vogler  1 , Roland R Tilz  1   2
Affiliations

Novel or established cryoballoon ablation system for pulmonary vein isolation: the prospective ICE-AGE-1 study

Christian-Hendrik Heeger et al. Europace. .

Abstract

Aims: Catheter ablation with a cryoballoon (CB) provides effective and durable pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) associated with encouraging clinical outcome data. The novel POLARx CB incorporates unique features, which may translate into improved safety, efficacy, and outcomes. The ICE-AGE-1 study aimed to assess the efficacy, safety, and 1-year clinical follow-up of the POLARx CB in comparison to the Arctic Front Advance Pro CB (AF-CB4).

Methods and results: A total of 103 consecutive patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent POLARx-based PVI (POLARx group) were prospectively enrolled and were compared to 102 consecutive patients previously treated with the AF-CB4 (AF-CB4 group). The mean age was 68.7 ± 10.2 (POLARx) and 65.7 ± 12 (AF-CB4, P = 0.0551) years. A total of 412 (POLARx) and 404 (AF-CB4) PVs were identified. All PVs, except for one PV in the POLARx group, were successfully isolated. A significant difference regarding the mean minimal CB temperature reached using the POLARx CB (-56.1 ± 8.3°C) and AF-CB4 (-46.9 ± 10.1°C) was observed (P < 0.0001). Real-time PVI was visualized in 71% of PVs in the POLARx group and 46% of them in the AF-CB4 group (P < 0.001). The mean procedure time was comparable: 54.5 ± 17.1 min for POLARx and 59.4 ± 18.6 min for AF-CB4 (P = 0.0509). No differences were observed in terms of periprocedural complications. There were comparable rates in freedom of AF or atrial tachycardia recurrence after 12 months, beyond a 90-day long blanking period: 78.9% in the POLARx group vs. 77.2% in the AF-CB4 group (P = 0.804).

Conclusion: The novel POLARx CB showed similar safety, efficacy, and 1-year recurrence-free survival rates compared to the AF-CB4. A higher rate of real-time electrical PV recordings and significantly lower balloon temperatures were observed using the POLARx as compared to AF-CB4.

Keywords: Acute efficacy; Atrial fibrillation; Cryoballoon; Follow-up; Pulmonary vein isolation.

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Figures

Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1
Figure 1
ICE-AGE-1 study flow chart. Study flow chart. CB, cryoballoon; PVI, pulmonary vein isolation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Twelve-month follow-up. Kaplan–Meier estimates within the 12-month follow-up after the index PVI utilizing Arctic Front Advance Pro and POLARx. No statistical differences were found concerning 12-month freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias. KM, Kaplan–Meier; PVI, pulmonary vein isolation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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