Midterm results of surgical box line ablation for atrial fibrillation by bipolar radiofrequency

Abstract Objectives: The surgical box lesion isolation of pulmonary veins and left atrium is recently reported to be superior to the conventional Cox maze IV procedure. The aim of this study is to investigate the midterm results of surgical box lesion ablation with the use of the bipolar radiofrequency energy performed at our institution. Methods: From April 2004 to December 2008, 35 patients underwent the surgical box lesion ablation using bipolar radiofrequency and were followed for mean 31 months ranging from 3 to 58 months. Results: There was no operative mortality. One patient (2.86%) needed electric cardioversion before discharge. One patient (2.86%) needed pacemaker implantation. At discharge, all patients were in normal sinus rhythm. During the follow‐up period, the rate of sinus rhythm maintenance was 100%, the rate of freedom from antiarrhythmic medication was 42.9%, and the rate of freedom from thromboembolic episodes was 100%. Conclusions: The surgical box lesion ablation was a safe and effective procedure to terminate atrial fibrillation and restore sinus rhythm. (J Card Surg 2011;26:669‐672)