You just clicked a link to go to another website. If you continue, you may go to a site run by someone else.
We do not review or control the content on non-Medtronic sites, and we are not responsible for any business dealings or transactions you have there. Your use of the other site is subject to the terms of use and privacy statement on that site.
It is possible that some of the products on the other site are not approved in your region or country.
This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Some are essential to make our site work; others help us improve the user experience. By using the site, you consent to the placement of these cookies. You may at any time change the settings regarding cookies. Read our privacy statement to learn more.
Your browser is out of date
With an updated browser, you will have a better Medtronic website experience. Update my browser now.
The content of this website is exclusively reserved for Healthcare Professionals in countries with applicable health authority product registrations, except those practicing in France as some of the content is not in compliance with the French Advertising law N°2011-2012 dated 29th December 2011, article 34.
Click “OK” to confirm you are a Healthcare Professional.
Catheter Cryoablation versus Antiarrhythmic Drug as First-Line Therapy of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (Cryo-FIRST) is a 1:1 randomised control trial designed to compare the safety and efficacy of antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy against cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) as a first-line therapy in treatment naïve patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF).
Study Size: 220 patients enrolled by 18 hospitals.
Primary Endpoint: Freedom from any atrial arrhythmia >30 seconds after blanking
Principal Investigators: Gian Battista Chierchia (BE), Malte Kuniss (DE)
Watch Prof. G.B. Chierchia present Cryo-FIRST trial results: - (09:43)
First-line Cryoballoon ablation vs. antiarrhythmic drugs for paroxysmal AF
More information (see more)
Less information (see less)
Cryo-FIRST Primary Endpoint Results Presentation - (10:57)
Cryo-FIRST Primary Endpoint Results Presentation
More information (see more)
Less information (see less)
Watch Dr. M. Kuniss present:
Discussion of Cryo-FIRST Trial Results - (07:16)
Discussion of Cryo-FIRST Trial Results
More information (see more)
Less information (see less)
Watch Dr. A. Metzner discuss:
The STOP AF First Trial (NCT03118518) was an FDA-regulated, prospective, multicentre randomised study designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Medtronic cryoablation system as an initial first-line treatment in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Patients were randomised (1:1) to antiarrhythmic drug therapy (class I or III) or pulmonary vein isolation with the Arctic Front Advance ™ Cryoablation catheter.
Study Size: 225 patients enrolled by 24 hospitals (U.S.)
Primary Safety Endpoint:
Primary Efficacy Endpoint:
Treatment success at 12 months.
Treatment failure included:
Principal Investigator: Oussama Wazni
Conclusions:
Dr. Wazni present STOP AF Frist trial results - (05:13)
Watch Dr. Oussama Wazni present the key findings from STOP AF First Trial
More information (see more)
Less information (see less)
Early Aggressive Invasive Intervention for Atrial Fibrillation (EARLY AF, NCT02825979) is a multicentre, randomized, controlled trial comparing the safety and efficacy of Arctic Front AdvanceTM Cryoablation with antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy as a first line therapy. Clinical efficacy was assessed by an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM).
Study Size: 303 patients enrolled by 18 hospitals in Canada
Prof. J. Andrade present results of EARLY AF study - (05:50)
Watch Prof. J. Andrade present the key findings from EARLY AF study
More information (see more)
Less information (see less)
Watch Prof. J. Andrade present the key findings from EARLY-AF
Panel Discussion on the Cryo-FIRST, STOP AF First, and EARLY-AF trial findings - (18:49)
Watch Prof. J. Camm, Prof. J. Andrad, Dr. O. Wazni, and Dr. N. Pavlović discuss the Cryo-FIRST, STOP AF First, and EARLY-AF trial findings
More information (see more)
Less information (see less)
Watch Prof. J. Camm, Prof. J. Andrade, Dr. O. Wazni, and Dr. N. Pavlović discuss the Cryo-FIRST, STOP AF First, and EARLY-AF trial findings
AF is progressive is nature, with longer diagnosis-to-ablation times associated with markers of atrial remodelling2.
For patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF, antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) are often prescribed as the first-line therapy. However, these drugs fail to prevent AF recurrence in up to 50% of patients3. Some of these patients go on to receive catheter ablation.
Importantly, prior studies suggest that a shorter diagnosis to ablation time is associated with lower rates of atrial arrythmia recurrence, repeat procedures, and cardiovascular hospitalisation4-7. These observations paired with evidence that catheter ablation can halt AF progression more effectively than AAD therapy7 has sparked debate around the optimal first line therapy for symptomatic AF patients.
The positive results from the Cryo-FIRST study demonstrate Cryoballoon ablation is safe and superior to AAD therapy in reducing AF recurrence in this first line patient population1.
The 2020 ESC Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation recommend catheter ablation for AF symptom improvement (class I, level A), targeting pulmonary vein isolation (class I, level A)6.
AF Catheter Ablation as a First-line Therapy:
2020 ESC GUIDELINES HIGHLIGHTS
Watch Prof. G. Hindricks explain key updates made to the ESC Guidelines for AF Management
2020 ESC Guidelines Highlights
Watch Prof. G. Hindricks explain key updates made to the ESC Guidelines for AF Management.
Please refer to the following link for additional guidance on which patients to refer for catheter ablation: 2020 ESC Guidelines on AF Management
Part 1 - What is Atrial Fibrillation - (04:00)
Atrial Fibrillation Disease And Symptoms
More information (see more)
Less information (see less)
Part 2 - What is Atrial Fibrillation - (03:14)
Patient Video detailing AF Treatment
More information (see more)
Less information (see less)
Find additional feature information along with a variety of educational resources and tools.
Visit Medtronic AcademyHermida et al., Cryoballoon catheter ablation versus antiarrhythmic drugs as a first-line therapy for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Rationale and design of the international Cryo-FIRST study. Am Heart J. 2020 Apr;222:64-72
Kuniss et al. Presented at the German Cardiac Society conference DGK 2020.
Chierchia, GB., et al. Quality of Life Measured in First-Line Therapy During the Cryo-FIRST Study: A Comparison Between Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation Versus Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy. Poster presented at the 2020 ESC Congress – The Digital Experience.
Wazni et al. Cryoballoon Ablation as Initial Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation. New England Journal of Medecine. 2020.
Andrade, J. et al. Cryoablation or Drug Therapy for Initial Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. New England Journal of Medecine. 2020.
Hindricks, G., et al. 2020 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). European Heart Journal. 2020. 00, 1-126.