Compare RF and cryo ablation in terms of lesion creation and risk profile.

• A. RF forms discrete lesions by heating tissue; Cryo forms lesions by freezing and allows cryomapping with potential tissue adhesion, reducing risk of steam pops and collateral injury
• B. RF forms lesions by freezing; Cryo forms lesions by heating
• C. RF forms continuous lesions; Cryo forms discrete lesions
• D. Cryo cannot be used near critical structures

Answer: (A)

RF and cryo ablation differ in how they create lesions and in their safety profiles. Radiofrequency ablation heats tissue to cause coagulative necrosis, which typically produces discrete lesions along the catheter path. The heating can raise the risk of steam pops if tissue water rapidly vaporizes, and higher power or close proximity to critical structures can increase collateral injury.

Cryo ablation freezes tissue to form lesions. It offers cryomapping—a short freeze to test electrical effects before making a permanent lesion—so you can map safely before committing. The catheter tip adheres to frozen tissue, improving stability during lesion formation and reducing unintended movement. This stability, along with the absence of rapid boiling, lowers the risk of steam pops and can make cryo a safer option near critical structures.

Thus, describing RF as heating with discrete lesions and cryo as freezing with cryomapping and cryoadherence captures how lesion formation and risk differ between the two methods.