Bundang Seoul National University Hospital Achieves 1,000 Cases of Atrial Fibrillation 'Cryoballoon Ablation'

Bundang Seoul National University Hospital held a ceremony to celebrate achieving 1,000 cases of cryoballoon ablation.
[Photo by Bundang Seoul National University Hospital]

The Arrhythmia Team at the Cardiovascular Center of Bundang Seoul National University Hospital (Professors Il-Young Oh, Young-Jin Cho, and Ji-Hyun Lee from the Department of Cardiology) announced on the 17th that they have achieved 1,000 cases of the atrial fibrillation treatment method called 'cryoballoon ablation.'

Since performing the first cryoballoon ablation in 2019, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital has rapidly improved and advanced its surgical outcomes, surpassing 500 cases?the first in Korea?in 2021, and exceeding 1,000 cases within two years.

Atrial fibrillation is a condition where the heart beats fast and irregularly, and it is the most common type of arrhythmia. Patients may experience various symptoms such as palpitations, chest discomfort, and shortness of breath, while some may have no noticeable symptoms. It is known that patients with atrial fibrillation have a higher risk of ischemic stroke, making early diagnosis and active treatment important.

Treatment for atrial fibrillation is determined comprehensively based on the patient's age, symptoms, and underlying diseases. Generally, drug therapy is prioritized first, and if symptoms do not improve, procedural treatments such as radiofrequency catheter ablation or cryoballoon ablation are performed. Cryoballoon ablation is a technique that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the tissue around the pulmonary veins in the left atrium to treat atrial fibrillation. Compared to radiofrequency catheter ablation, it has a shorter procedure time and a lower risk of complications such as cardiac tamponade and pericardial effusion, and has recently been actively performed.

Bundang Seoul National University Hospital minimizes patient discomfort during the procedure and responds quickly to emergencies by conducting systematic procedures according to risk levels through close cooperation with the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. Since October 2019, it has been designated as a cryoballoon ablation training center, educating many arrhythmia specialists across Korea.

Professor Il-Young Oh of the Department of Cardiology said, "Bundang Seoul National University Hospital has accumulated the highest level of experience and know-how in Korea in treating atrial fibrillation, including radiofrequency catheter ablation and cryoballoon ablation. As an institution responsible for the health of the nation, we will strive not only to serve Korea but also to educate doctors from developing countries."