Contrast Dye ICE Cap Embolization Using the Third-Generation Cryoballoon

• Published in: Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology
• Main Authors: Conti, Sergio, Moltrasio, Massimo, C. Tondo, Fassini, Gaetano
• Other Authors: C. Sergio, M. Massimo, F. Gaetano
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2017
• Subjects: Aatrial fibrillation; Cryoballoon ablation; Aged; Atrial Fibrillation; Balloon Occlusion; Contrast Media; Cryotherapy; Embolism; Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Material; Human; Male; Radiography; Interventional; Treatment Outcome; Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine; Settore MED/11 - Malattie dell'Apparato Cardiovascolare; Ice cap
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2434/534513; https://doi.org/10.1111/pace.12960

Cryoballoon ablation is a widely diffuse technology to perform paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation. The new generation cryoballoon catheters have been redesigned in order to improve the cooling capability. During cryoballoon ablation, it is not unusual to observe the formation of a contrast dye ice cap on top of the balloon itself. The automated balloon deflation before dissolution of the ice cap may increase the risk of embolization of large ice-mixed-contrast crystals in the systemic circulation. In the case hereby reported, we describe an uneventful embolization of this contrast dye ice cap in the systemic circulation.