心房颤动复律后联用缬沙坦与胺碘酮的疗效

目的观察口服胺碘酮和缬沙坦在心房颤动复律后维持窦性心律的疗效。方法持续性心房颤动患者98例,成功转复窦性心律后随机分为两组:胺碘酮组48例和胺碘酮联用缬沙坦组(联用组)50例。随访2年,观察两组维持窦性心律及左心房内径。结果胺碘酮组和联用组维持窦性心律的有效率分别为68．8％和86．0％,联用组左心房内径明显缩小,两组差异有统计学意义。结论胺碘酮联用缬沙坦可降低心房颤动复发率,更有效地维持心房颤动转复后的窦性心律。     

胺碘酮治疗风湿性心脏病瓣膜置换术后心房颤动

目的探讨胺碘酮治疗风湿性心脏病瓣膜置换术后心房颤动的效果及应用价值。方法回顾性分析120例行风湿性心脏病瓣膜置换术患者临床资料,按照随机、对照的原则分为观察组和对照组,各60例。对照组术后采用常规药物进行治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上,加用胺碘酮进行治疗。两组疗程均为1个月,比较两组患者术后房颤转复率、窦性心律维持率、ICU监护时间及住院时间。结果与对照组相比,观察组患者房颤转复情况、窦性心律的维持情况均较好(P<0.05);观察组患者ICU监护时间和住院时间明显短于对照组(P<0.01)。结论临床胺碘酮治疗风湿性心脏病瓣膜置换术后心房颤动患者效果较好,能够有效防止房颤的复发,维持术后窦性心律,并缩短ICU监护时间和住院时间。     

瓣膜置换同时射频消融隔离肺静脉口治疗风湿性心脏病心房颤动的临床研究

目的探讨心内直视下射频消融隔离肺静脉口治疗风湿性心脏病心房颤动的可行性及临床疗效.方法选择风湿性心脏病心房颤动患者58例,于瓣膜置换术中同时射频消融隔离肺静脉口.结果 50例术后即刻转为窦性心律,8例仍为心房颤动,术后1周6例由窦性心律转为持续性心房颤动,2例心房颤动恢复窦性心律.52例出院后随访3～24个月,40例维持窦性心律,成功率为77%.结论心内直视下射频消融隔离肺静脉口治疗风湿性心脏病心房颤动有较好疗效,且方法简单,并发症少.     

厄贝沙坦联合胺碘酮对风湿性心脏病人瓣膜置换术后维持窦律的作用

目的 评价厄贝沙坦和胺碘酮联用在风湿性心脏病持续性房颤患者复律后的窦律维持作用.方法 风湿性心脏病瓣膜置换术后持续性房颤患者116例随机分为胺碘酮组(55例)和厄贝沙坦 胺碘酮组(61例).两组均在治疗2周后行电复律术,转为窦性心律后继续分别服用.试验随访时间为18月.比较治疗后的窦性心律维持率和治疗前及治疗后6、12、18月左心房内径. 结果胺碘酮组左心房内径在治疗12月后显著大于胺碘酮 厄贝沙坦组,P＜0.05.厄贝沙坦 胺碘酮组窦律维持率高于胺碘酮组,在治疗12月时有显著差异. 结论厄贝沙坦联合胺碘酮在风湿性心脏病持续性房颤复律后维持窦性心律的疗效优于单用胺碘酮,并能延缓左房扩大,防止房颤复发.     

厄贝沙坦联合胺碘酮对风湿性心脏病人瓣膜置换术后维持窦律的作用

目的评价厄贝沙坦和胺碘酮联用在风湿性心脏病持续性房颤患者复律后的窦律维持作用。方法风湿性心脏病瓣膜置换术后持续性房颤患者116例随机分为胺碘酮组(55例)和厄贝沙坦+胺碘酮组(61例)。两组均在治疗2周后行电复律术,转为窦性心律后继续分别服用。试验随访时间为18月。比较治疗后的窦性心律维持率和治疗前及治疗后6、12、18月左心房内径。结果胺碘酮组左心房内径在治疗12月后显著大于胺碘酮+厄贝沙坦组,P<0.05。厄贝沙坦+胺碘酮组窦律维持率高于胺碘酮组,在治疗12月时有显著差异。结论厄贝沙坦联合胺碘酮在风湿性心脏病持续性房颤复律后维持窦性心律的疗效优于单用胺碘酮,并能延缓左房扩大,防止房颤复发。     

瓣膜置换术中双极射频消融治疗风湿性心脏病合并心房颤动

目的 探讨风湿性心脏瓣膜病合并心房颤动（AF）患者同期行瓣膜替换术及双极射频消融迷宫术的近期手术效果.方法 选取风湿性心脏瓣膜病合并心房颤动患者18例（消融组）,同期行瓣膜替换术及双极射频消融迷宫术治疗心房颤动.18例配对仅行心脏瓣膜替换术而未行双极射频消融迷宫术的患者作为对照组.患者年龄36～65岁,平均53.5岁,房颤持续时间1～10年,平均5年,左心房内径为44～67 mm.比较两组患者的手术治疗结果.结果 消融组18例患者术后窦性心律16例,房颤心律1例,结性心律1例;随访8个月,15例维持窦性心律,3例阵发性房颤心律.对照组13例术中心脏复跳后即为房颤心律,5例心脏复跳后为窦性心律,术后24 h内均转为房颤心律,应用胺碘酮不能持续恢复窦性心律.两组术后左房内径均较术前显著降低（P＜0.01）,消融组术后左房内径小于对照组[（33.06±2.88）mm比（36.16±2.43）mm,P＜0.05].结论 风湿性心脏瓣膜病合并慢性心房颤动患者在行瓣膜替换术的同时行附加的双极射频消融手术疗效良好,安全简便.     

二尖瓣狭窄并发心房颤动的危险因素探讨

目的探讨二尖瓣狭窄并发心房颤动(房颤)的危险因素。方法采用非条件Logistic回归模型对连续行二尖瓣球囊扩张术(PBMV)的260例二尖瓣狭窄患者进行并发房颤的危险因素分析。PBMV后对房颤患者进行复律治疗并随访。结果二尖瓣狭窄并发房颤的预测因子是左心房内径(P<0.0001)、年龄(P<0.0001)及病程(P=0.0007)。PBMV后左心房内径缩小,113例患者经药物或直流电转复窦性心律;随访(12±6.8)个月,31例(28.2％)患者房颤复发,左心房内径(P<0.0001)是转复窦性心律患者房颤复发的独立预测因子。结论左心房内径、年龄和病程是决定二尖瓣狭窄患者发生房颤的最重要的因素。左心房内径也是决定PBMV后转复窦性心律患者能否维持窦性心律的主要因素。     

环肺静脉电隔离联合左心房连续碎裂电位射频导管消融治疗持续性心房颤动的临床研究

目的 观察环肺静脉消融(CPVI)联合连续心房碎裂电位(CFAE)射频导管消融治疗持续性心房颤动的有效性和安全性.方法 入选64例经药物治疗无效且有症状的持续性心房颤动(PeAF)患者,CPVI后分为转复窦性心律(A 组)及未转复窦性心律组(B 组),未转复窦性心律患者行左心房连续CFAE(CFE-mean≤70ms)标测与消融后,分为转复窦性心律组(B1 组)与未转复窦性心律组(B2 组).两者终点分别为消除所有肺静脉电位与连续CFAE 或转复窦性心律.结果 A 组年龄、术前左心房内径(LAD)、左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)及手术前后心房颤动周长(AFCL)明显高于B 组(P＜0.05).B1 组术前LAD、LVEDD 及手术前后AFCL 明显高于B2 组(P＜0.05).A 组15 例(23%)与B1组21 例(45%)直接转复为窦性心律,B1组患者中3 例(6%)二尖瓣峡部依赖与2 例(4%)三尖瓣峡部依赖心房扑动经线性消融后转为窦性心律,1 例(2%)二尖瓣环局灶性房性心动过速患者消融后转为窦性心律,28 例(57%)维持心房颤动患者行体外直流电复律成功.随访(5.8±2.3)个月,36 例(56%)维持窦性心律,A 组发生3 例(20%)快速性房性心动过速,明显低于B 组25例患者(51%,P＜0.01).B1组发生快速性房性心动过速,低于B2组患者(33%、64%,P＜0.01).术中及术后均未发生严重并发症.结论 CPVI 联合连续CFAE 指导持续性心房颤动射频导管消融术有效安全,CPVI及CFAE消融对于心房电解剖重构程度较低患者的消融效果可能更好.     

风心病房颤患者心房纤维化程度与房颤复律后窦性心律维持的关系

41例风湿性心脏病（风心病）二尖瓣病变患者（房颤29例，窦性心律12例）行心脏外科手术时取右心耳组织，用V—G染色法和VIDAS-21图像分析系统测量其心房组织胶原容积分数（CVF）。结果房颤患者的心房组织CVF明显高于窦性心律患者（P〈0．05）。房颤患者均转复为窦性心律，随访12个月后，维持窦性心律20例，转为房颤9例；房颤复发患者的心房组织CVF、房颤持续时间和左房内径均明显大于维持窦性心律患者（P〈0．05）。提示心房纤维化程度可能是影响风心病房颤患者复律后窦性心律维持的因素之一。     

风湿性心脏病并左心房血栓患者瓣膜置换术后的抗凝治疗

目的　探讨风湿性心脏病并左心房血栓患者行瓣膜置换术后血栓形成的相关因素 ,总结术后抗凝治疗经验。方法　随诊 18例风湿性心脏病并左心房血栓行瓣膜置换术的患者 ,监测血凝指标 ,术后半年复查超声心动图测量左心房内径。另选取同期 47例风湿性心脏病无左心房血栓行瓣膜置换术的病人作对照。比较两组病人术后血栓发生率。结果　血栓组 ( 组 )术后血栓发生率为 2 2 .2 % ,明显高于对照组 ( 组 ) ( P<0 .0 5 ) ,呈显著性差异 ,但凝血酶原时间 ( PT)和国际标准化比率 ( INR)与对照组比较均无显著性差异 (分别为 P>0 .10 ,P>0 .10 )。血栓组术后半年左心房内径明显大于对照组 ( P<0 .0 1) ,术后心房颤动发生率也明显高于非血栓组 ( P<0 .0 1)。结论　对于风湿性心脏病合并左心房血栓的患者 ,瓣膜置换术后 ,抗凝治疗应注意调整 PT和 INR稍高于常规标准 ,溶栓治疗是治疗术后血栓形成简单而有效的方法     

附加扩大左房减容与直流电转复模式对瓣膜病合并心房颤动患者心房颤动的影响

目的研究在进行基础瓣膜置换或成形手术时附加左房减容和直流电复律术对瓣膜病合并心房颤动(简称房颤)患者房颤的影响。方法选取有心脏瓣膜病变且合并左房扩大病例298例,均伴有诊断明确的房颤病史,根据左房内径大小分成Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ3组:左房内径40～59mm为Ⅰ组,共83例,60～79mm为Ⅱ组,共161例,80mm以上为Ⅲ组,共54例。按照住院号单双数随机将三组又分为2个亚组行瓣膜手术附加左房减容术和直流电转复为a组,未附加手术为b组;左房减容包括左房折叠和左房壁切除,直流电电转复包括电复律,起始量为10J,依次10J累加,最大达30J。如果a组自动复跳为窦性心律,依然加10J电击一次。所有病例均于术前口服可达龙并术后维持治疗。结果Ⅰa组和Ⅰb组术后早期和出院时的窦性转复率无明显差异,但随访9～12个月,Ⅰa组的窦性转复率明显高于Ⅰb组(35.3%vs28.6%P(0.05);Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组中a亚组的窦性转复率在术后早期、出院时以及随访期间均明显高于b亚组。Ⅰa组与在出院和随访期间窦性转复率高于Ⅱa、Ⅲa(44.1%vs34.4%、27.3%;35.3%vs30.0%、12.1%,P均(0.05),Ⅱa组在出院和随访期间窦性转复率亦高于Ⅲa组(34.4%vs27.3%;30.0%vs12.1%,P(0.05)。结论对于左房扩大的瓣膜病变伴房颤患者,在进行基础瓣膜置换或成形手术时附加左房减容和直流电复律手术,可以达到一个非常理想的房颤转复率和维持率,但左房内径达80mm以上的病例其远期效果不佳。     

Efficacy of intra-operative radiofrequency ablation in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation undergoing concomitant mitral valve replacement

BACKGROUND: Permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) is present before operation and persists after surgery in 30-40% of patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. Using the maze procedure, 75-82% of patients can be cured of AF, but the procedure is difficult and long lasting. Percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation has emerged as an effective therapy for AF in recent years. AIM: To assess the efficacy of intra-operative RF ablation of AF in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. METHODS: 100 adults with permanent AF underwent mitral valve replacement. Patients were divided into two groups: the RF group--50 patients qualified for mitral valve replacement and RF ablation; and the control group--50 patients selected for mitral valve replacement without ablation. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were examined to assess the influence of several factors on the outcome (free from AF during one-year follow-up based on symptoms and serial Holter ECG recordings). RESULTS: Baseline clinical, demographic and echocardiographic characteristics were similar in both groups. Electrical cardioversion following surgery was required in 76% of patients from the RF group compared with 94% from the control group (p<0.002). In those who underwent cardioversion, sinus rhythm was restored more frequently in RF than control patients (32 vs. 16%, p<0.002). Sinus rhythm at hospital discharge was present in 56% of RF patients compared with 22% of controls (p=0.0001), and after one-year follow-up in 54 vs. 16% (p<0.001), respectively. The use of amiodarone was significantly lower in RF patients compared with controls (32 vs. 70%, p<0.05). NYHA class III (OR 8.5, CI 1.0-394) or IV (OR 36, CI 1.2-1958) and left atrial diameter >6 cm (OR 9.3, CI 0.5-5230) were identified as predictors of AF. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-operative RF ablation performed in the left atrium in patients with chronic AF undergoing mitral valve replacement significantly improves sinus rhythm restoration rate. Advanced heart failure (NYHA class IV) and left atrial diameter >6 cm are negative prognostic factors for sinus rhythm maintenance.     

Impact of atrial fibrillation on clinical status, atrial size and hemodynamics in patients after mitral valve replacement.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The association between mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation (AF) is well known, but few data exist regarding the impact of AF after mitral valve replacement (MVR) on NYHA functional class, atrial size and hemodynamic parameters. The present study was conducted to evaluate these issues. METHODS: Eighty-six patients (26 men, 60 women) who underwent MVR were evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography. Fifty-nine patients had chronic AF (AF group), and 27 were in sinus rhythm (sinus group). Variables analyzed included end-systolic left atrial and right atrial areas, tricuspid regurgitation, and presence and duration of AF. Peak and mean transprosthetic mitral valve gradients and pulmonary pressure were estimated by Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: Groups were matched for age, sex and time from MVR (mean 6.6 years). Sixty-four patients (77%) had rheumatic heart disease, 18 (21%) had mitral valve disease, and two (2%) had mitral valve prolapse. Mean duration of AF was 11+/-12 years (range: 8-50 years). Preoperatively, AF patients had a worse NYHA class than sinus patients (2.8+/-0.8 versus 1.1+/-0.7, p = 0.001), but both had similar fractional shortening of the left ventricle and preserved prosthetic mitral valve function. Multivariate analysis identified AF as a single predictor of NYHA class after MVR. Although left and right atrial areas were larger in AF patients (47+/-25 versus 27+/-7 cm2, p = 0.0001 and 30+/-12 versus 17+/-5 cm2, p = 0.0001, respectively), the left:right atrial size ratio was not significantly different between groups. Multivariate analysis identified mean transmitral gradient and duration of AF as independent predictors of left atrial size after MVR (p = 0.01 and p = 0.0001, respectively). Tricuspid regurgitation and duration of AF were independent predictors of right atrial size (p = 0.003 and p = 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The presence of AF after MVR is associated with a worse NYHA functional class, increased transmitral gradients, and larger areas of both atria, when compared with sinus rhythm. Hence, a special effort should be made to correct arrhythmia during surgery, and in case of paroxysmal arrhythmia, earlier surgery should be considered before the condition becomes chronic.     

Factors related to sinus rhythm at discharge after radiofrequency ablation of permanent atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery

Late recovery of sinus rhythm is unusual in patients with permanent AF treated by (radiofrequency) RF maze procedure during mitral valve surgery. Identification of clinical and instrumental preoperative factors predictive of early success of RF ablation in patients with permanent AF undergoing mitral valve surgery may improve selection of subjects to obtain long-term results. Hundred and thirty consecutive patients with permanent AF and mitral valve disease underwent modified RF maze procedure during concomitant mitral valve surgery. Rheumatic valve disease (61 pts) and mitral valve prolapse (41 pts) were the more common aetiology of valve abnormalities. Mitral valve replacement was performed in 54 % of patients and mitral valve repair in the remaining 46 %. Four patients died after surgery. At discharge, 87 patients (69 %) were in sinus rhythm (group 1) and 43 patients in AF persisted (group 2). At an average 24-month follow-up, sinus rhythm was present in 67 % of patients, and 33 % were in atrial fibrillation. In this period, late recovery of sinus rhythm was observed only in five patients, while eight discharged in sinus rhythm developed again atrial fibrillation. Among preoperative parameters at univariate analysis female sex, atrial fibrillation >24 months, left atrial diameter >54 mm, left atrial area >24 cm², rheumatic valve disease and NYHA class were associated with persistence of AF. At Cox regression multivariate analysis, increased left atrial area (OR 1.07 per unit increase—95 % CI 1.01–1.131) and rheumatic aetiology of valve disease (OR 4.52, 95 % CI 1.65–12.4) were associated with persistence of AF at hospital discharge. Persistence of AF after RF ablation in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery is related to aetiology, e.g. rheumatic valve disease, and to increasing left atrial diameter. Due to low rate of late recovery of sinus rhythm, indication to RF ablation associated with MV surgery should be carefully considered in patients with large atria and rheumatic mitral valve disease.     

风心病慢性房颤心外膜标测心房有效不应期的对比研究

目的:研究风心病慢性房颤的电生理特征。方法:对29例风心病伴或不伴慢性房颤的病人在行二尖瓣置换术时,采用心外膜标测技术测定左、右心房各部位的有效不应期(AERP)及右房内和房间的传导时间。结果:风心病慢性房颤组左、右心房AERP比窦性心律明显缩短(P<0.05),左、右心房各部分的AERF,之间有明显差异(P< 0.01),即存在明显离散性;慢性房颤组的右房和房间传导时间在转复为窦性心律和缩短刺激右房高位问期时均显著长于正常对照组(P<0.05)。结论:风心病慢性房颤心房各部位AERP的差异反映了其AERP的离散性,而AERP 的离散性在房颤的诱发和维持过程中起着重要作用。     

Effect of maze procedure in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing valve replacement

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to elucidate the impact of the maze procedure on late outcome after valve replacement. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2000, 241 patients underwent the maze procedure combined with valve replacement. Patients were allocated to three groups: aortic valve replacement (AVR/maze, n = 16); mitral valve replacement (MVR/maze, n = 148); and combined aortic and mitral valve replacement (DVR/maze, n = 77). RESULTS: Mean follow up was 3.9 +/- 2.3 years. Hospital mortality was 0% in the AVR/maze group, 2.0% (n = 3) in the MVR/maze group, and 3.9% (n = 3) in the DVR/maze group. Elimination of atrial fibrillation (AF) at discharge was achieved in 74.3-75.9% of cases. Freedom from recurrence of AF/atrial flutter was 71.2% in the AVR/maze group, 68.2% in the MVR/maze group, and 64.0% in the DVR/maze group at five-year follow up. By multivariate analysis, risk factors for recurrence of AF/atrial flutter included preoperative enlarged left atrial dimension >70 mm, decreased postoperative fractional shortening <30%, and absence of postoperative left atrial contraction. Freedom from stroke was 93.6% in patients who achieved regular rhythm (normal sinus rhythm or junctional rhythm), and 80.9% in those with recurrence of AF at five years after surgery (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The combined maze procedure and valve replacement is safe and effective in selected patients. Restoration of regular rhythm significantly reduced the incidence of late stroke.     

Impact of left atrial size reduction on chronic atrial fibrillation in mitral valve surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Left atrial enlargement is a risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). Large atrial size increases thromboembolic risk and reduces the success rate of cardioversion. The study aim was to evaluate if left atrial size reduction affects cardiac rhythm in patients with chronic AF undergoing mitral valve surgery. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients were analyzed prospectively. The left atrial incision was extended to the left inferior pulmonary vein. Left atrial size reduction was achieved by closure of the left atrial appendage from inside with a double running suture. The same suture plicated the left lateral atrial wall to the roof of the left pulmonary vein inflow and the inferior atrial wall. The atrial septum was plicated by placing stitches of the closing suture line across the fossa ovalis. Rhythm, neurological complications, cardioversion, anticoagulation and anti-arrhythmic medication were evaluated at one year postoperatively and at recent follow up (mean 40 +/- 15 months). RESULTS: At discharge, five patients (19%) were in sinus rhythm (SR). At one year postoperatively, SR was restored in 17 patients (63%), but five (19%) reported episodes of arrhythmia and AF persisted in 10 (37%). At recent follow up, four patients had died and three were lost to follow up. Among 20 patients examined, 13 (65%) had SR but six reported episodes of arrhythmia and AF persisted in seven (35%). LA diameter was significantly reduced, from 60.2 +/- 9.8 mm preoperatively to 44.5 +/- 7.0 mm at one year after surgery. CONCLUSION: The addition of left atrial size reduction to mitral valve surgery is technically simple, and was effective in 63% of patients with chronic AF, restoring predominant SR. In order to influence pathogenetic factors other than size, additional ablative steps may further increase the SR conversion rate. Size reduction may also improve the outcome of other ablative approaches.     

风湿性心脏病瓣膜置换术后心房颤动的导管消融病例总结

目的：评价风湿性心脏病瓣膜置换术后心房颤动（房颤）消融的效果和安全性。方法入选2008年至2013年在广东省人民医院心内科接受房颤导管消融治疗的风湿性心脏病瓣膜置换术患者,分析其临床特征、消融策略及消融成功率。结果共纳入23例患者,男8例,女15例,平均年龄（51.0＆#177;9.2）岁。单纯二尖瓣置换术患者13例（56.5%）,二尖瓣、主动脉瓣双瓣置换术10例（43.5%）,其中5例同时进行三尖瓣置换或整形术。外科术后阵发性房颤患者14例（60.9%）,非阵发性房颤9例（39.1%）;这些患者在外科术前心律情况为9例窦性心律,4例阵发性房颤,10例非阵发性房颤。导管消融距离外科手术时间为（6.9＆#177;5.8）年,外科术后发生房颤病程（3.1＆#177;3.2）年,左、右心房内径分别为（44.1＆#177;5.9）mm、（48.1＆#177;9.0）mm,左心室射血分数64.0%＆#177;8.3%。平均消融手术时间（156.8＆#177;46.6）min,X线曝光时间（27.3＆#177;11.2）min。随访（29.7＆#177;21.2）个月,其中4例（17.4%）患者接受再次消融术;14例（60.9%）维持窦性心律（6例服用胺碘酮）,1例死亡,2例失访,6例复发（包括2例持续性房颤,1例阵发性房颤,2例偶发性心房扑动,1例阵发性房性心动过速）。结论风湿性心脏病瓣膜置换术后房颤导管消融有效、安全,步进式导管消融策略可能较为合适。     

Effect of mitral valve repair/replacement surgery on atrial arrhythmia behavior

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY: Few data have been published on the effects of mitral valve surgery on atrial rhythm. The study aims were to determine the effects of surgery on: (i) persistence of atrial fibrillation (AF); (ii) measures of left atrial and ventricular dimensions; and (iii) ECG P-wave duration. METHODS: A retrospective case-note review of 92 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation was undertaken. Variables determined included prevalence and duration of AF; incidence of new-onset or persistence of AF after surgery; rhythm changes in relation to age, gender, left atrial and ventricular dimensions and function, anti-arrhythmic drug usage and ECG P-wave duration in sinus rhythm prior to surgery. RESULTS: Only 4/47 (8.5%) patients with any history of AF before surgery were in sinus rhythm at six months after surgery. All 28 patients with persistent AF for >12 months and 41/45 (91%) in sinus rhythm before surgery retained these rhythms after surgery. The left atrial dimension was decreased after surgery, in the whole group (51.3 +/- 9.0 versus 48.4 +/- 9.5 mm; p = 0.011) and in the subgroup in sinus rhythm, but not in the subgroup in AF. The left ventricular end-diastolic dimension decreased in the group as a whole (60.6 +/- 6.2 versus 53.0 +/- 8.7 mm; p = 0.0001) and in both subgroups after surgery. In 24 patients with 12- lead ECGs in sinus rhythm before and three months after surgery, P-wave duration remained unchanged. However, this measure decreased in the 18 patients in sinus rhythm consistently, but increased in the six patients continuing to have paroxysmal AF after surgery. CONCLUSION: Mitral valve surgery alone restored sinus rhythm in only 8.5% of patients with any previous history of AF. Concomitant anti-arrhythmic procedures should be considered for all patients with AF who undergo mitral valve surgery.