{
  "abstract": "Background: Catheter ablation for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) is an established treatment, with cryoballoon (CBA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) showing similar success rates. However, comparative data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes between these methods are limited. This study compares HRQoL changes following CBA vs. RFA in symptomatic AF patients.\n\nMethods: This sub-analysis of the FREEZE Cohort Study (NCT01360008) compared HRQoL outcomes between CBA (group A) and RFA (group B) using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire and EHRA symptom scores at baseline and follow-up. Changes in mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression, EQ-VAS, and general physical condition (GPC) were assessed.\n\nResults: Between 2011 and 2016, 4,189 patients were included, with 2,110 (50.4%) completing all HRQoL questionnaires. The mean age was 61.8 ± 10.4 years, with 39.2% female patients. Group A had a higher proportion of patients with paroxysmal AF (72.8% vs. 65.4%, p < 0.01). Overall complication rates were similar (7.6% vs. 10.1%, p = 0.07). The median follow-up was 434 (375, 517) days. Atrial arrhythmia recurrence was more frequent in group B (45.0% vs. 56.9%, p < 0.0001), as were repeat ablations (7.9% vs. 22.3%, p < 0.001) and rehospitalizations (26.0% vs. 46.7%, p < 0.0001). Both groups experienced significant improvements in HRQoL. After multivariable adjustment, group A remained associated with greater improvement in pain/discomfort (aOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.26–2.08), EQ-VAS (aOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.27–2.02), and the EuroQol 5D-Score (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.10–1.76).\n\nConclusion: Both CBA and RFA significantly improved HRQoL. However, CBA was associated with greater improvements in pain/discomfort, EQ-VAS, and the EuroQol 5D-Score, indicating potential differences in selected HRQoL outcomes between ablation modalities.\n\nClinical Trial Registration: NCT01360008.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Klinik für Kardiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin, München Klinik Bogenhausen , ,",
    "Abteilung für Kardiologie, Kerckhoff Klinik GmbH , ,",
    "Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Rui Jin Hospital , ,",
    "Med. Klinik I, Helios Klinikum Hildesheim GmbH , ,",
    "Innere Klinik II/Kardiologie, Christliches Klinikum Unna-Mitte , ,",
    "Klinik für Rhythmologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein , ,",
    "Stiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung , ,"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "J. Pongratz"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "M. Kuniss"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "L.-Q. Wu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "J. Tebbenjohanns"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "G. Nölker"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "U. Dorwarth"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "K.-H. Kuck"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6
      ],
      "name": "J. Senges"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "E. Hoffmann"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "F. Straube"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3s2b56b6cvhz9.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fcvm.2026.1877743",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13690627/?tool=EBI",
  "id": "3s2b56b6cvhz9",
  "issns": [
    "2297-055X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13690627",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2705|Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221083912",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13690627/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13690627",
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-09",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3s2b56b6cvhz9.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:59Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13690627",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13690627"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:10Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fcvm.2026.1877743",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2026.1877743/full"
    }
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2705|Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes",
      "subfield": "cardiovascular"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Quality of life after cryoballoon vs. radiofrequency ablation in atrial fibrillation: a subanalysis of the FREEZE cohort study",
  "title_text": "Quality of life after cryoballoon vs. radiofrequency ablation in atrial fibrillation: a subanalysis of the FREEZE cohort study",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:10Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3s2b56b6cvhz9",
  "venue": "Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine",
  "versions": []
}