Open AccessAblation Technology for the Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Author(s) -
Spencer J. Melby,
Richard B. Schuessler,
Ralph J. Damiano
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
asaio journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.961
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1538-943X
pISSN - 1058-2916
DOI - 10.1097/mat.0b013e3182a394f1
Subject(s) - atrial fibrillation , ablation , medicine , ablation of atrial fibrillation , energy (signal processing) , computer science , surgical procedures , biomedical engineering , cardiology , surgery , catheter ablation , physics , quantum mechanics
The Cox maze procedure for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation has been simplified from its original cut-and-sew technique. Various energy sources now exist which create linear lines of ablation that can be used to replace the original incisions, greatly facilitating the surgical approach. This review article describes the anatomy of the atria that must be considered in choosing a successful energy source. Furthermore the device characteristics, safety profile, mechanism of tissue injury, and ability to create transmural lesions of the various energy sources that have been used in the Cox maze procedure, along with the strengths and weaknesses of each device is discussed.