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Stand Alone Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Author(s) -
AboSalem Elsayed,
Paone Ralph F.,
Nugent Kenneth,
PerezVerdia Alejandro,
Deshpande Alok,
Amiri Hoda Mojazi
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of cardiac surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.428
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1540-8191
pISSN - 0886-0440
DOI - 10.1111/jocs.12092
Subject(s) - medicine , atrial fibrillation , sinus rhythm , pulmonary vein , ablation , refractory (planetary science) , surgery , atrial appendage , retrospective cohort study , cardiology , catheter ablation , physics , astrobiology
Abstract Background Trials to maintain sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and refractory symptoms have been complicated by lack of success or intolerance of medications. Experience with minimally invasive AF surgery is relatively new, and early results have been promising. However, the study populations and techniques were heterogeneous, and the follow‐up periods were short in many series. Methods We present a single center experience through a retrospective review of medical records of patients who had minimally invasive AF surgery. Results The surgical techniques addressed several possible mechanisms of AF and causes of recurrence, including pulmonary vein isolation, underlying substrates modification, ligament of Marshall interruption, ganglion plexus ablation, and left atrial appendage exclusion. Thirty‐three cases were identified. The mean duration of follow‐up was 23.2 months, and 58.6% were maintained in a sinus rhythm and were off antiarrhythmic drugs at the end of the follow‐up period. Cases with persistent AF had a lower success rate. Conclusion Results with minimally invasive surgery are suboptimal at two years of follow‐up, particularly for patients with persistent AF. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12092 (J Card Surg 2013;28:315–320)