双心房或单纯右心房射频消融术治疗成人先天性心脏病房间隔缺损合并心房颤动的对比研究

目的分析双心房射频消融术与单纯右心房射频消融术治疗成人先天性心脏病房间隔缺损合并心房颤动（房颤）的效果。方法回顾性分析2007年1月至2012年12月47例房间隔缺损合并心房颤动接受房间隔缺损修补联合射频消融术治疗患者的临床资料,其中男20例,女27例;年龄35～76岁;房颤病程3个月至15年;持续性房颤18例,长程持续性房颤29例。合并二尖瓣轻度至中度以上关闭不全10例,三尖瓣轻度至中度以上关闭不全28例。根据手术方式不同将47例患者分为两组,单纯右心房消融组（n=19）：行房间隔缺损修补术＋单纯右心房射频消融术;双心房消融组（n=28）：行房间隔缺损修补术＋双心房射频消融术。对于二尖瓣、三尖瓣存在轻一中度以上反流者,术中同期行二尖瓣、三尖瓣成形术。所有患者术后3个月、6个月、12个月均接受24h动态心电图检查,1年后间断门诊随访。结果双心房消融组的体外循环时间、主动脉阻断时间及术后住院时间较单纯右心房消融组略长,但两组术后早期并发症及恢复情况无明显差异。心脏复跳时,双心房消融组25例（89．3％）直接恢复窦性心律,3例为交界心律,无房颤心律。单纯右心房消融组14例（73．7％）直接恢复窦性心律,2例为交界心律,3例为房颤心律。出院时,双心房消融组28例（100％）均维持窦性心律;单纯右心房消融组15例（78．9％）维持窦性心律,4例房颤复发（P=0．045）。所有患者均得到随访,随访时间3～75个月,全组无死亡病例;房间隔无残余分流;2例出现二尖瓣轻一中度以上关闭不全,4例出现三尖瓣轻．中度以上关闭不全;双心房消融组术后2年累积窦性心律维持率为87．7％±6．7％,明显高于单纯右心房消融组的47．4％±11．5％（P=0．003）。结论对于成人房间隔缺损合并房颤,双心房射频消融术较单纯右心房射频消融术有更好的治疗效果,而且不会增加手术的风险。     

改良线路心房直视迷宫式射频消融治疗心房颤动

目的：探讨风湿性心脏病合并心房颤动（房颤）病人,在瓣膜置换同时采用改良线路经心房直视迷品式射频消融治疗房颤的可行性及疗效。方法：66例风湿性心脏病二尖瓣病变合并房颤病人,在体外循环心内直视下经心房行迷宫式射频消融,同时行二尖瓣置换术,结果：无手术死亡,57例房颤消失,其中术后窦性心律54例（81．8％）,结性心律1例（1．5％）,心房扑动2例（3％）,9例（13．6％）仍为房颤,随访2－60个月,总随访率89．6％,窦性心律稳定,无远期死亡,结论：经心房内视改良线路迷宫式射频消融治疗房颤,方法简捷,安全有效,远期疗效稳定,值得进一步研究,推广。     

非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术同期行心房颤动双极射频消融术

目的总结借助瑞克Ⅲ心脏固定器在非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术同期行双极心房颤动（房颤）射频消融术的手术效果。方法2008年1月至2013年10月北京安贞医院共有49例冠心病合并房颤患者接受非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术（OPCAB）加Atricure双极射频消融术。根据房颤的持续时间不同,将49例患者分为两组,持续性房颤组（A组）：14例,男9例、女5例,年龄（56．7±7．5）岁;阵发性房颤组（B组）：35例,男27例、女8例,年龄（60．2±10．5）岁。房颤病程为（9．4±6．0）个月。冠状动脉狭窄85％～100％。术后随访行动态心电图及超声心动图检查,观察房颤是否再发。结果无术中转为体外循环手术患者,围手术期无死亡。术后当天有81．6％的患者（40／49）转为窦性心律或交界性心律,18．4％的患者（9／49）仍为房颤心律,未出现Ⅱ～Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞。全组搭桥139支,平均2．8支。住院时间10～15（12±3）d。出院时患者维持窦性心律34例（69％）,其中A组9例（64％）,B组25例（71％）。所有患者均得到随访,随访率100％,随访时间5～12个月。维持窦性心律6个月以上39例（80％）,其中A组10例（71％）,B组29例（83％）;术后12个月窦性心律44例（90％）,A组11例（79％）,B组33例（94％）。两组差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论借助瑞克Ⅲ心脏固定器,在心脏不停跳冠状动脉旁路移植术同期行双极房颤消融手术是安全、有效、可行的。     

二尖瓣手术并射频消融迷宫术治疗房颤

目的评价二尖瓣手术并射频消融迷宫手术（Maze Ⅲ）治疗二尖瓣病变合并房颤的安全性和疗效。方法2003年1月至10月行二尖瓣手术及射频消融迷宫手术66例为研究组，同期二尖瓣病变合并房颤仅行二尖瓣手术的66例为对照组。两组术前数据差异无统计学意义，随访并比较分析两组房颤的消除率、手术疗效和术后并发症的差异。结果平均主动脉阻断时间研究组较对照组长（12．61±3．56）min，两组手术死亡率和并发症率差异无统计学意义。术后即刻、出院时及术后1年以上研究组与对照组的房颤消除率分别为100％、63．7％、76．2％与57．6％、18．2％、14．8％（P〈0．001）。研究组窦性心律恢复率明显高、脑梗发生率低、心功能恢复好。结论心内直视手术合并射频消融行迷宫手术可有效消除房颤，不增加心内手术的风险，安全、有效。而单纯二尖瓣手术未处理房颤者，术后房颤多数仍存在。     

心脏瓣膜置换术同期冲洗式射频消融术效果观察

目的观察瓣膜置换手术同期冲洗式射频消融术对慢性房颤的临床治疗效果。方法对31例心脏瓣膜病患者行瓣膜置换手术同期冲洗式射频消融术，观察手术前后左房变化、术后心电图变化、术后引流量、术后血制品用量等。结果本组患者平均转机时间（105．86±20．88）min，平均阻断时间（60．71±16．57）min，与我院同期心脏瓣膜置换手术比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；术后13例（41．9％）需临时起搏器维持心率，均于术后12h～12d恢复自主心律（房颤或窦性心律）；术后随访6～21个月，平均（15．6±3．7）个月，术后1个月，14例（14／31）恢复窦性心律，术后1年，20例（20／27）恢复窦性心律。术后1个月随访恢复窦性心律的14例（转复组）与未复律的17例（房颤组）比较，两组术前左房内径、术后左房内径／术前左房内径差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论心脏瓣膜置换术同期冲洗式射频消融术是治疗心脏瓣膜病患者慢性房颤的有效、安全手段。     

心内直视房颤射频消融术前危险因素与术后转律关系

目的 回顾性分析同期瓣膜置换术加房颤射频消融术患者术前危险因素与手术成功率之间的关系.方法 选取52例风湿性心脏病合并永久性房颤同期行瓣膜置换术加房颤射频消融术患者,术后随访半年以上,根据是否转为窦性心律分为转律组(SR)与房颤组(AF),采集并比较两组患者的围术期资料,单变量分析采取t检验或方差检验.差异有统计学意义的指标行logistic回归分析,计算优势比(OR)及95％可信区间(95％ CI).结果 最后一次随访中37例患者转为窦性心律,手术成功率约71.2％.单因素分析显示房颤病程、左心房内径、左心室舒张末期容积及主动脉阻断时间是术后房颤复发的危险因素,多因素分析显示房颤病程是术后房颤复发的独立危险因素.结论 瓣膜置换术同期行房颤射频消融术是治疗慢性房颤的有效方法.房颤病程短、左心房内径小的患者行房颤双极射频消融成功率高.     

射频消融迷宫术治疗心房纤颤

作者采用射频消融迷宫术治疗心房纤颤２０例，其中１９例合并风湿性二尖瓣病的患者，同时行瓣膜替换术，１例合并房间隔缺损患者进行修复。射频消融的路线采用小板井嘉夫的手术径路。术后１６例恢复窦性心律，占８０％，未恢复窦性心律的４例，２例为房颤，１例为房扑，另１例为结性心律。射频消融迷宫术耗时短，仅增加钳闭主动脉时间平均２０．５分钟，无术后出血的潜在危险。但术后７～１０天之内，有１８例出现过房颤、房扑、房速等室上性心律失常，可能由于射频消融不均匀，干扰心房的心电活动所致。     

非体外循环心外膜微波消融治疗合并器质性心脏病的心房纤颤

目的探讨非体外循环不停跳进行心外膜微波消融治疗合并器质性心脏病的心房纤颤的可行性和临床效果。方法对2006年5月至2008年5月本院18例合并心房纤颤的心脏手术患者术中施行了非体外循环不停跳心外膜微波消融治疗,手术方式为二尖瓣置换＋三尖瓣成形6例,二尖瓣成形2例,二尖瓣、主动脉瓣置换＋三尖瓣成型6例,冠状动脉旁路移植术4例。在切开心包后即利用微波发生器、微波探头按照Kress[1]的方法进行不停跳心外膜消融。结果本组病例均成功完成了消融,无手术死亡及与消融有关的并发症。微波消融平均时间为22±3.8分钟,所有病例术中都恢复窦性心律,其中5例72小时内房颤复发。所有患者均给予胺碘酮治疗,随访时间6～30个月（平均13±2.17月）,保持窦性心律者15例,有效率为83.3%。结论合并房颤的器质性心脏病患者可在术中接受不停跳心外膜微波消融,简单易行,效果满意。     

射频消融迷宫治疗心房纤颤

作者采用射频消融迷宫术治疗心房纤颤２０例,其中１９例合并风湿性二尖瓣病的患者,同时行瓣膜替换术,１例合并房间隔缺损患者进行修得。射频消融的路线采用小板井嘉夫的手术径路。术后１６例恢复窦性心律,占８０％,未恢复窦性心律的４例,２例为房颤,１例为房扑,另１例为结性心律。     

心内直视手术同期行单极或双极射频消融治疗心房颤动的效果比较

目的探讨心内直视下同期行单极或双极射频消融治疗器质性心脏病合并心房颤动(房颤)的经验及疗效。方法回顾性分析2004年12月至2013年12月我院及上海交通大学医学院附属仁济医院心血管外科采用单极射频消融笔或双极射频消融笔为305例器质性心脏病合并房颤患者施行消融术的临床资料。其中男188例、女117例,年龄38~81岁。将患者分为3组:单极组,128例,行单极笔消融;双极组,165例,行双极笔消融;联合组,12例,行单极加双极笔联合消融。结果全组术后死亡2例。术后有249例患者转为窦性心律,总转复率为81.6%。其中单极组转复率为78.9%,双极组转复率为83.6%(P0.05)。术后随访3~85(38.2±15.4)个月。单极组、双极组术后半年(80.5%vs.83.9%,P0.05),1年(78.4%vs.83.3%,P0.05),2年(76.5%vs.81.1%,P0.05),5年(73.8%vs.77.1%,P0.05)窦性心律维持率差异均无统计学意义。结论心脏直视手术同期行单极或双极射频消融治疗房颤简易、安全、有效,其中长期效果值得肯定。单极和双极消融对于术后窦性心律的转复率无明显差异,但应用双极消融笔可以明显缩短消融手术时间。     

Combined endocardial and epicardial radiofrequency ablation of right and left atria in the treatment of atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND: The maze procedure and its modifications have been successful in treating atrial fibrillation (AF), at the expense of longer procedure times and increased morbidity. This study evaluated the early results of using radiofrequency ablation as a surgical adjunct in treating AF. METHODS: Twenty-six patients, with established or frequent intermittent AF, who were undergoing various cardiac surgical procedures, were enrolled. During their operations, the patients underwent intraoperative left and right atrial radiofrequency ablation lesions using a handheld flexible probe. Patients were followed up with echocardiography and Holter monitoring. RESULTS: All 26 patients were weaned off cardiopulmonary bypass in sinus rhythm. There were 2 early noncardiac deaths in high-risk patients; 23 surviving patients (95%) remained in sinus rhythm at a mean follow-up of 175 days (range 96 to 400 days). Three patients were defibrillated into sinus rhythm 30, 40, and 60 days after their operation. Test epicardial lesions on the right atrial appendage in 12 patients showed full-thickness coagulation of tissue in 10 (83%). CONCLUSIONS: A combined endocardial and epicardial set of radiofrequency lesions in both atria abolished AF in most patients at 6 months and facilitated easy conversion of recurrent AF into sinus rhythm. The transmural nature of the epicardial lesions has implications for further development.     

Long-term follow-up after endocardial radiofrequency modified Nitta procedure for concomitant atrial fibrillation treatment

In atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, the surgical restoration of sinus rhythm aims at restoring atrial contraction, hence to decrease thromboembolic events. We investigated the long-term outcome of radiofrequency (RF) ablation by a modified Nitta procedure, in patients with AF associated with operative structural heart diseases. Between September 2000 and April 2004, a total of 20 patients (63.7+/-13.34 years) with structural heart diseases due to surgery and chronic AF underwent endocardial RF ablation. Evaluation was achieved at discharge, at 6 months, 12 months and in November 2005. Echocardiography, 12-derivations electrocardiogram and 24-h electrocardiogram were obtained. At the mean follow-up of 43.25+/-13.4 months, 14 out of 20 patients (70%) were in sinus rhythm. Actuarial freedom from AF recurrence was 85% after 6 months, 75% after 12 months and 70% at the follow-up completion. Effective atrial contraction was present in 78.5% of patients with sinus rhythm. No hemodynamic pulmonary edema has been reported during the hospital stay, and no thromboembolic event has been reported during the follow-up period. The Nitta procedure, modified for RF ablation, is an easy procedure when performed in the setting of structural heart disease surgery. Further studies are warranted to evaluate this technique on a larger scale basis.     

Biatrial radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: epicardial and endocardial surgical approach

Radiofrequency energy applied by means of surgical probes permits the ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study presents our initial experience on 55 consecutive cardiac patients with permanent AF with radiofrequency ablation through biatrial epicardial and endocardial surgical approach. At discharge, 8.1% of the patients had persistent AF-atrial flutter. Hospital incidence of arrhythmias were, 9% of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, 10.9% of atrial flutter, and 34.5% of persistent atrial fibrillation. After a mean follow-up of 7 months, 83.6% patients have recovered sinus rhythm, and echocardiographic biatrial contraction was re-established in 73%. Biatrial radiofrequency ablation applied from the endocardium and the epicardium has achieved satisfactory results, without increasing the surgical risk.     

Surgical ablation of permanent atrial fibrillation by means of maze radiofrequency: mid-term results

Abstract Background: The maze procedure can be performed surgically with radiofrequency, generating transmural ablation lines. We report our experience with a biatrial pattern of lesions based on the use of epicardial and endocardial radiofrequency ablation in an effort to minimize maze procedure. Method: In 85 patients undergoing cardiac surgery for established permanent atrial fibrillation (>3 months), a biauricular pattern of epicardic–endocardic maze lesions was performed. The main surgical procedures were diverse: 42 mitral valve surgeries, 7 mitrotricuspid valves, 18 mitroaortics, 4 mitroaortic and tricuspids, 2 aortic valves, 3 CABGs, 5 CABG and valve procedures, and 4 atrial septal defects. The mean age of the patients was 61 ± 12 (range 39–78). The mean duration of atrial fibrillation was 5.8 years (range 0.3 to 24). Results: Sixty‐two (72.9%) patients presented postoperative supraventricular arrhythmia. Hospital mortality was seen in five patients (5.8%). Two patients died after a 12‐month mean follow‐up (range 2 to 32). A total of 14.1% of patients remained with their previous atrial fibrillation and 85.9% recovered and maintained sinus rhythm, with two patients having a permanent pacemaker. A total of 56% patients have been followed‐up for a period of more than 6 months, and among them prevalence of sinus rhythm is 87.5%. Echocardiography detected biauricular contraction in 65% of them. After analyzing the data, factors involved in postoperative recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency surgery were oldness of the atrial fibrillation (p < 0.01) and pre and postoperative left auricle volume (p < 0.04). Conclusion: Intraoperative radiofrequency has permitted us to perform the maze procedure in a simple way, with a low surgical morbid‐mortality. We have obtained an 85.9% electrographic effectiveness and a 65% recovery of atrial contraction. Postoperative incidence of arrhythmia is the main postoperative problem.     

胸腔镜辅助微创射频消融治疗持续性心房颤动

目的 回顾性研究胸腔镜辅助微创射频消融联合应用厄贝沙坦治疗持续性心房颤动的临床疗效.方法 对2006年1月至2009年12月收治的83例持续性心房颤动患者进行胸腔镜辅助微创射频消融治疗.其中男性58例,女性25例;年龄32～79岁,平均(57±11)岁.心房颤动病史平均(61±65)个月.随访1. 0～3.6年,平均(2.2±0.8)年.术后将患者随机分为厄贝沙坦组(n=42)与未用药组(n=41),比较两组心律转复情况.结果 全组无手术死亡,随访期间1例猝死.全组术后窦性心律38例(45.7%),起搏心律4例(4.9%),心房扑动、房性心动过速样心律5例(6.0%),心房颤动心律36例(43.4%).出院时窦性心律53例(63.9%),心房颤动心律24例(28.9%).末次随访窦性心律65例(80.2%),心房颤动/心房扑动心律14例(17.3%).厄贝沙坦组与未用药组的窦性心律和心房颤动/心房扑动心律分别为38例、3例和27例、11例,差异有统计学意义(P=0.017).Kaplan-Meier分析显示,厄贝沙坦组与未用药组随访中的非心房颤动/心房扑动心律差异有统计学意义(P=0.020).与未用药组相比,厄贝沙坦组心房颤动复发风险较低(RR=0.24,95%CI:0.087～0.637,P=0.004).结论 胸腔镜辅助微创射频消融治疗持续性心房颤动安全有效,术后联合应用厄贝沙坦可以有效降低心房颤动的复发.     

Endocardial and epicardial radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation with a new intra-operative device.

OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation has been a difficult problem to solve in many surgical patients, especially in those with mitral valve pathology. This study evaluates the results of endocardial and epicardial radiofrequency ablation with a new intra-operative device in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. METHODS: We operated on 65 patients with atrial fibrillation, 58 of which had concomitant mitral surgery. Atrial fibrillation was chronic (over 1 year) in 46 patients (group A) and paroxysmal or recent onset in 12 (group B). Group C had lone atrial fibrillation (two), concomitant coronary artery disease (four) or a sarcoma (one). Bilateral pulmonary vein isolation with a new intra-operative device was performed through multiple dry lesions in all patients. Groups A and B had endocardial applications at 70 degrees C during 60 s and group C had epicardial applications at 75 degrees C. Three group C patients had epicardial applications off pump. Atrial wall biopsies were performed in nine patients from groups A and B. RESULTS: There were no serious post-operative complications. At 1 month follow-up 54% of all patients were out of atrial fibrillation and 34% were in normal sinus rhythm with bilateral atrial contraction (Santa Crus Score 4). At 6 months follow-up, in spite of some crossover of patients among groups, similar results were obtained. The success of the procedure was 69% (Santa Crus scores 3 and 4) in mitral patients with a left atrial volume smaller than 200 cm(3). Preliminary data on the transmurality of the lesions is presented. The patients submitted to epicardial radiofrequency ablation (group C) have satisfactory results at 1 month (six out of seven were out of AF). CONCLUSIONS: Both endocardial and epicardial RF applications are simple and quick to perform and do not pose an additional risk for most patients. Furthermore we believe that it is possible to perform bilateral epicardial radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins without cardiopulmonary bypass. Further refinements of the technique are needed to assure transmurality of all lesions and better results.     

The radiofrequency modified maze procedure. A less invasive surgical approach to atrial fibrillation during open-heart surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with mitral valve disease and suffering of atrial fibrillation of more than 1 year's duration have a low probability of remaining in sinus rhythm after valve surgery alone. Intraoperative radiofrequency ablation was used as an alternative to simplify the surgical maze procedure. METHODS: Seventy-two patients with mitral valve disease, aged 63+/-11 years ranging from 31 to 80 years, underwent valve surgery and radiofrequency energy applied endocardially, based on the maze III procedure to eliminate the arrhythmia. The right-sided maze was performed on the beating heart and the left-sided maze during aorta cross-clamping. RESULTS: Surgical procedures included mitral valve repair (n=38) or replacement (n=34) and in addition tricuspid valve repair (n=42), closure of an atrial septal defect (n=2) and correction of cor triatriatum (n=1). The left-sided maze needed 14+/-3 min extra ischemic time. There were two in-hospital deaths (2.7%) and three patients (4.2%) died during follow-up of 20+/-15 months. Among 67 surviving patients, 51 patients (76%) were in sinus rhythm, two patients (3%) had an atrial rhythm and eight patients (12%) had persistent atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Four patients had a pacemaker implanted, in one patient because of sinus node dysfunction. Doppler echocardiography in 64 patients demonstrated right atrial contractility in 89% and left atrial transport in 91% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation is an effective and less invasive alternative for the original maze procedure to eliminate atrial fibrillation.     

Intraoperative saline-irrigated radiofrequency modified Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the saline-irrigated radiofrequency modified Maze operation for treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation, and to compare the results of the left and biatrial procedures. METHODS: During a period of 11 months, 62 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation who were having concomitant cardiac surgery underwent the procedure. The mean age of the patients was 52 +/- 14 years. Patients underwent either a biatrial (group A; n = 39) or left atrial (group B; n = 23) procedure. RESULTS: Two patients (3.2%) died early in the postoperative period. Three patients (4.8%) required reoperation for bleeding. One patient in group A (1.6%) received a permanent pacemaker. Patients in both groups were free of atrial fibrillation at the end of the procedure (group A: sinus 86.9%, pacemaker 13%; group B: sinus 90.5%, pacemaker 9.5%) (p > 0.05). At 1-month and longer-term follow-up, sinus rhythm was maintained in 92% and 95% of cases in group A, respectively, whereas this rate was 71% and 81% in group B (p > 0.05). Holter monitor surveillance revealed a higher rate of atrial fibrillation, atrial arrhythmias, and atrial flutter in group B (p < 0.05). Transthoracic echocardiography revealed improvement over time in left atrial transport function in both groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The saline-irrigated radiofrequency modified Maze procedure was performed safely and efficiently. Both the left and biatrial procedures were successful in terms of restoring sinus rhythm during short-term follow-up. Long-term follow-up with more cases is needed to show the superiority of one method over the other.     

A simple way to treat chronic atrial fibrillation during mitral valve surgery: the epicardial radiofrequency approach.

OBJECTIVE: We describe an original radiofrequency ablation technique to treat chronic atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. Most of the procedure is carried out epicardially, in order to avoid an undue increase of surgical time and trauma. METHODS: The ablations are performed using a temperature-controlled multipolar radiofrequency catheter. Two encircling lesions around the ostia of the right and of the left pulmonary veins are carried out epicardially, usually before cardiopulmonary bypass. Through a conventional left atriotomy the ablation procedure is completed with two endocardial lesions connecting the two encirclings between them and to the mitral valve annulus. After the mitral valve procedure is performed, the left appendage is sutured. RESULTS: From February 1998 to May 1999, 40 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (43. 1+/-51.9 months) underwent combined radiofrequency ablation and mitral valve surgery. Mean left atrial diameter was 56.8+/-10.7 mm. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp time were, respectively, 119.1+/-26.3 and 76.7+/-21.0 min. Mean postoperative blood loss was 287.2+/-186.6 ml. No reexploration for bleeding occurred. One patient died of pneumonia 12 days after operation. No patient needed permanent pacemaker implantation. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.3+/-5.6 days. At follow-up (mean 11.6+/-4.7 months), 30/39 (76.9%) of the patients were in stable sinus rhythm. All patients in sinus rhythm 3 months after operation recovered both left and right atrial contractility at echocardiographic control (mean 7.3+/-3.4 months). The left atrial diameter decreased significantly in patients recovering sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: Epicardial radiofrequency ablation is a safe means to achieve surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation with a high success rate. The simplicity of the technique and the low procedure-related risk should dictate combined treatment virtually in all patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing open heart operations.     

Long-term results of irrigated radiofrequency modified maze procedure in 200 patients with concomitant cardiac surgery: six years experience

BACKGROUND: The Cox maze procedure is considered an effective surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients with and without organic heart disease. Radiofrequency energy offers an alternative to the complex surgical maze procedure. We used the radiofrequency modified maze III procedure in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing elective concomitant cardiac surgery. This study evaluated the long-term results of the irrigated radiofrequency ablation to create linear lines of conduction block endocardially. METHODS: Between November 1995 and June 2001, 200 patients with mainly structural heart disease and chronic atrial fibrillation underwent intraoperative radiofrequency linear ablation in both atria with concomitant cardiac surgery. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate was 3.5% (7 patients) and during the mean follow-up of 40 months (range, 12 to 80) 27 patients (13.5%) died. Eight patients (4%) were lost from follow-up and complete data were available in 158 survivors. Sinus or atrial rhythm was present in 116 patients (73.4%) and an atrial driven rhythm in 10 patients (6.3%) with an atrioventricular pacemaker. Atrial fibrillation or flutter was documented in 32 patients (20.3%). Antiarrhythmic drugs were used in 49% of survivors who were free of atrial fibrillation or flutter. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative radiofrequency endocardial ablation is an effective technique to eliminate atrial fibrillation with promising long-term results.