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The Biophysics and Biomechanics of Cryoballoon Ablation
Author(s) -
ANDRADE JASON G.,
DUBUC MARC,
GUERRA PETER G.,
MACLE LAURENT,
MONDÉSERT BLANDINE,
RIVARD LÉNA,
ROY DENIS,
TALAJIC MARIO,
THIBAULT BERNARD,
KHAIRY PAUL
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pacing and clinical electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.686
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1540-8159
pISSN - 0147-8389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2012.03436.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cryoablation , ablation , biomechanics , pulmonary vein , catheter ablation , balloon , biomedical engineering , surgery , anatomy , cardiology
Recent clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated that cryothermal ablation using a balloon catheter (Artic Front®, Medtronic CryoCath LP, Pointe‐Claire, Canada) provides an effective means of achieving pulmonary vein isolation. This review explores the biophysics and biomechanics of cryoballoon ablation. Components of the cryoballoon catheter system are examined, mechanisms of cryothermal injury are summarized, and potential advantages of cryoballoon technology over standard radiofrequency ablation in isolating pulmonary veins are discussed. Practical aspects of biophysics and biomechanics relevant to the clinical electrophysiologist are emphasized, particularly with regards to the selection of the most appropriate cryoballoon catheter and minimizing peri‐procedural complications. (PACE 2012; 35:1162–1168)