Table 1. Baseline characteristics by ablation modality.
| Variables | Cryoablation group (n = 200) | RFCA group (n = 210) | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, years | 57.5 ± 9.8 | 56.6 ± 10 | 0.366 |
| Age ≥65 years, n (%) | 50 (25.0) | 44 (21.0) | 0.330 |
| Sex, male, n (%) | 153 (76.5) | 173 (82.4) | 0.140 |
| BMI, kg/m2 | 25.5 ± 2.9 | 25.3 ± 2.8 | 0.511 |
| Diabetes mellitus, n (%) | 25 (12.5) | 29 (13.8) | 0.695 |
| Hypertension, n (%) | 88 (44.0) | 105 (50.0) | 0.224 |
| Prior stroke/TIA, n (%) | 13 (6.5) | 15 (7.1) | 0.796 |
| Prior congestive heart failure, n (%) | 12 (6.0) | 4 (1.9) | 0.032 |
| Prior myocardial infarction, n (%) | 2 (1.0) | 3 (1.4) | 1.000 |
| Persistent AF, n (%) | 64 (32.0) | 79 (37.6) | 0.233 |
| Longstanding persistent AF, n (%) | 16 (8.0) | 19 (9.0) | 0.704 |
| First AF episode to ablation, years | 2.3 (1.2–4.5) | 1.4 (0.9–2.8) | <0.001 |
| First AF episode to ablation ≥1 year | 158 (79.0) | 154 (73.3) | 0.179 |
| CHA2DS2VASc score | |||
| Mean | 1.3 ± 1.2 | 1.2 ± 1.1 | 0.717 |
| Distribution | 0.712 | ||
| 0 | 63 (31.5) | 64 (30.5) | |
| 1 | 63 (31.5) | 76 (36.2) | |
| 2 | 43 (21.5) | 37 (17.6) | |
| 3 | 23 (11.5) | 28 (13.3) | |
| 4 | 6 (3.0) | 3 (1.4) | |
| 5 | 2 (1.0) | 2 (1.0) | |
| LVEF, % | 61.1 ± 7.1 | 61.8 ± 6.1 | 0.311 |
| LA diameter, mm | 42.3 ± 6.2 | 42.2 ± 6.0 | 0.834 |
| LA diameter ≥40 mm, n (%) | 131 (65.5) | 133 (63.3) | 0.647 |
| LA volume index, ml/m2 | 41.2 ± 12.5 | 41.3 ± 13.7 | 0.991 |
| LA volume index ≥35 ml/m2 | 136 (68.0) | 127 (60.5) | 0.112 |
| Medication | |||
| AAD during blanking period, n (%) | 163 (81.5) | 162 (77.1) | 0.277 |
| AAD after blanking period, n (%) | 55 (27.5) | 58 (27.6) | 0.978 |
| Beta-blocker, n (%) | 21 (10.5) | 40 (19.0) | 0.015 |
| ACE inhibitor or ARB, n (%) | 45 (22.5) | 53 (25.2) | 0.516 |
| Anticoagulation drug, n (%) | 164 (82.0) | 157 (74.8) | 0.076 |
Values are expressed as n (%), mean ± SD, or median with interquartile range.
RFCA = radiofrequency catheter ablation; BMI = body mass index; TIA = transient ischemic attack; AF = atrial fibrillation; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction; LA = left atrium; ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme; ARB = angiotensin-receptor blocker; CHA2DS2VASc score = congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack or thromboembolism, vascular disease, age 65–74 years, sex category; AAD = antiarrhythmic drug.