Study limitations:
Our results should be interpreted in the context of the inherent
limitations of our study design. Firstly, ours is a retrospective
single-center study predominantly consisting of a Caucasian population,
limiting the generalizability of the outcomes. Secondly, we documented
recurrence by patient-reported symptoms supplemented by EKG’s and
long-term cardiac rhythm monitoring. It is certainly possible that
patients with asymptomatic recurrence of AF could have been missed.
Thirdly, we did not specifically look at parameters of acute success
such as nadir balloon temperature and degree of occlusion of the
cryoballoon ablation catheter. Finally, other parameters of PV and LA
anatomy such as the orientation of PV ostia and angulation in relation
to the LA, length of PV trunks from ostium to bifurcation, and thickness
of the left lateral ridge between the left PVs and LA appendage were not
evaluated in our study.