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April 12, 2026Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -)0 citationsOpen Access

Atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: long-term follow-up study for atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence and adverse cardiovascular events

MAMustafa Lütfullah ArdıçAÇAbdullah Eren ÇetinHÖHaşan Özdemir

Key Result

Type 2 diabetes mellitus independently increased the odds of atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence (OR 1.843) and adverse cardiovascular events (OR 2.148) in patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Key Points

  • The study aims to evaluate the long-term effects of cryoballoon ablation on atrial tachyarrhythmia and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • Conducted a retrospective observational cohort study
  • Included 748 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent cryoballoon ablation
  • Followed patients for at least 24 months to monitor atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence and cardiovascular events
  • 26% of patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus, and those patients showed a higher recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia (24% vs 15%)
  • Adverse cardiovascular events were significantly more frequent in the T2DM group (33% vs 9%)
  • The presence of left atrial diameter and type 2 diabetes independently predicted atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence and cardiovascular events

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=748)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

Does the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus increase the risk of atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence and adverse cardiovascular events in patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation?

P
Population
748 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation undergoing cryoballoon ablation, mean age 59.4 ± 11.8 years, 406 male.
I
Intervention
Cryoballoon ablation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
C
Comparator
Cryoballoon ablation in patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus
O
Outcome
Atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence (≥3 months after cryoballoon ablation)composite

In patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is an independent predictor of both atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence and adverse cardiovascular events.

Main Result

Effect estimate: OR 1.843 (95% CI 1.116-3.406)

Absolute Event Rate: 24% vs 15%

p-value: p=0.030

Limitations

  • Single-center and retrospective design
  • Only paroxysmal AF cases were included; persistent and permanent AF cases were excluded
  • Did not evaluate the effect of diet, physical activity, exercise, or specific anti-diabetic drugs on recurrence
  • HbA1c was measured only in patients with T2DM due to social security limitations
  • Atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence was assessed using 48-hour Holter ECG monitoring rather than longer durations
  • Did not analyze procedural parameters like time to isolation or total cryoenergy delivery time
  • Excluded patients with diabetic nephropathy or chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²)

Abstract

Abstract Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a modifiable risk factor both for atrial fibrillation (AF) and for the development of cerebrovascular-events in patients with AF. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) treatment on long-term atrial-tachyarrhythmia recurrence and adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in paroxysmal AF patients with T2DM. Methods This retrospective-observational-cohort study included 748-patients (406-male,342-female,59.4 ± 11.8years) who underwent CBA with a diagnosis of paroxysmal AF between 2013−2023. The primary endpoint was atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence (After-CBA≥3months) and the secondary endpoint was development of CV-events (CV mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular-events). All patients were followed up for at least 24 months for atrial-tachyarrhythmia recurrence and CV event development. Results The prevalence of T2DM was 26% in patients who underwent CBA. Atrial-tachyarrhythmia recurrence and CV events were more frequent in the T2DM group (24%vs15%, p = 0.004 and 33%vs9%, p = 0.045, respectively). Systolic-diastolic blood pressure, female gender, frequency of T2DM and anti-diabetic drug use, and left atrial diameter (LAd) values were higher in patients with atrial-tachyarrhythmia recurrence ( p < 0.05). The presence of LAd and T2DM were shown to independently predict the development of atrial-tachyarrhythmia recurrence (OR = 1.235,95%CI-1.169-1.305, p < 0.001andOR = 1.843,95%CI-1.116-3.406, p = 0.030). Male-gender and presence of T2DM, CHA 2 DS 2 -VA score and uric-acid were shown to independently predict CV events (OR = 1.906,95%CI1.102-3.299, p = 0.021,OR = 2.148,95%CI-1.073-4.303, p = 0.013,OR = 1.613,95%CI-1.346-1.932, p = 0.001andOR = 1.322,95%CI-1.125-1.554, p = 0.001). Conclusion The presence of T2DM is an important, independent and modifiable risk factor for both atrial-tachyarrhythmia recurrence and adverse CV events in patients treated with CBA for AF. It was concluded that comprehensive management of T2DM is necessary to improve long-term outcomes of CBA. Graphical Abstract

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Cite This Study

Ardıç et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (n=748). Cryoballoon ablation (in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus) vs. Cryoballoon ablation (in patients without Type 2 diabetes mellitus) was evaluated on Atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence (≥3 months after ablation) (OR 1.843, 95% CI 1.116-3.406, p=0.030). Type 2 diabetes mellitus independently increased the odds of atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence (OR 1.843) and adverse cardiovascular events (OR 2.148) in patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69db380f4fe01fead37c62c9https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-026-04380-5
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