Course of Chronic Heart Failure in the Early Period Following Catheter Cryoballoon Ablation in Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Aim. Study the course of chronic heart failure with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) during the early period after catheter cryoballoon ablation of pulmonary vein. Material and Methods. Sixty-seven patients (mean age 65.07 ± 7.72 years, 31 (46.3 %) men) with atrial fibrillation and heart failure were divided into two groups: Group I — paroxysmal AF and Group II — persistent AF. All patients underwent primary cryoballoon ablation using standard technique. Before operation and three months post-operation, tests included six-minute walk test, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, measurement of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and echocardiography. Results. The NT-proBNP level was lower in Group I — 151.00 [65.50;249.00] ng/L versus 513,00 [355.25; 948.00] ng/L in Group II (p