Concomitant atrial fibrillation surgery: worth the effort?

Concomitant surgery for atrial fibrillation is a conceptually and clinically difficult area of cardiac surgical decision making. This review introduces the pathophysiological background, provides insight and guidance for cardiac surgeons on some of the conflicting evidence and claims, and explores the fields in which further research may help elucidate a cardiac surgical clinical strategy for tackling this common and potentially lethal form of arrhythmia.