Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety between cryoablation(Cryo)and radiofrequency (RF)ablation in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia(AVNRT). Methods: A total of 83 patients with AVNRT underwent electrophysiological treatment in our hospital from October 2006 to March 2009 were studied. Patients were divided into two groups according to their own choices. Cryo group (n=41) and RF group (n=42). The clinical characteristics,success rate,procedural time and ablative time were compared between two groups. Results:The procedural time and ablative time in Cryo group was significantly longer than those in RF group (119.14±40.16 min vs.85.86±28.24 min,P=0.001; 1118.91±620.62 s vs.370.97±279.23 s,P<0.001). The acute success rate was achieved in 40/41(97.6%)patients in Cryo group,and 42/42(100.0%) in RF group. Transient AV-block was encountered in 6 (15%) patients in the Cryo group and 5 (11.9%) in RF group (P=0.681). There was no complete atrial-ventricular(AV)conduction block at the end of procedures. There was no recurrence of AVNRT in either Cryo group nor in RF group during 11.6±5.5 months of follow up period.Conclusion:Cryoablation was as effective and safe as RF ablation for AVNRT. Cryo-energy was one kind of alternative ablation energy for AVNRT.