Background
cerebral embolisms, thromboembolic, cerebral embolism
CEREBRAL EMBOLISMS, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION (AF), ISCHEMIC STROKES, CEREBRAL EMBOLISM, COMPLICATIONS
Although catheter ablation (CA) has become a standard therapeutic approach to atrial fibrillation (AF), it imposes a low but relevant risk of thromboembolic complications of around 0.5%–1%, including ischemic strokes, and has an additional risk of clinically silent cerebral embolisms (SCEs) of 10%–40%. Both cryoballoon (CB) and radiofrequency (RF) ablation are routinely used clinically worldwide, yet there are few prospective data comparing the incidence of cerebral embolism after CA of AF between CB and RF ablation.