Randomized Trialhigh evidence
Cryoballoon ablation vs. antiarrhythmic drug therapy as initial treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation: the multicentre randomized CEPAF trial.
Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology·September 2, 2026·PMID 42677894
Why it mattersPersistent atrial fibrillation often progresses despite antiarrhythmic drugs, and early rhythm control may improve outcomes. This trial provides evidence that first-line cryoballoon ablation is more effective than drug therapy for reducing recurrence and improving disease-specific quality of life in selected patients.
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