Evaluation of the luminal esophageal temperature behavior during left atrium posterior wall ablation by means of second-generation cryoballoon

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to clarify the behavior of the luminal esophageal temperature (LET) in a cohort of patients undergoing second-generation cryoballoon (CB-A) for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and additional left atrium posterior wall (LAPW) ablation by means of CB-A.MethodsThirty patients with symptomatic persistent AF (PersAF), having undergone PVI+LAPW cryoballoon ablation with LET monitoring.ResultsInterruption of the application due to a LET below 15 degrees C occurred in 5 patients (16.6%), 2 at the LIPV and 3 in the LAPW. The 5 patients underwent gastroscopy the day after ablation. In all individuals, esophageal thermal lesion (ETL) was absent.ConclusionThe evaluation of LET might be an additional tool in helping to prevent damage to the esophagus during the LAPW ablation with the CB-A by stopping the freeze application when temperature reaches values of <15 degrees C.