Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

FREEZE Study on the Home Stretch

In April 2011, the FREEZE cohort study started enrolling patients. The study objective is to compare the safety and effectiveness of two ablation methods: radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation. RF ablation uses high frequency current to apply heat to selective heart tissue causing it to necrotize. Cryoablation uses extreme cold to destroy tissue. Since the targeted total of 4,000 patients has almost been reached, the study group met during the European Society of Cardiology Congress in London. With all patients undergoing a follow-up at 1 year, results from the FREEZE cohort study are expected to be available in early 2017.