Combined atrial fibrillation and mitral valve surgery using microwave technology.

Atrial fibrillation is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality and is typically related to patients with mitral valve disease. Microwave ablation is a new option for surgical treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation. We present our experience with surgical treatment of mitral valve disease and microwave ablation in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. In 105 patients (73 women, 32 men, 68.6 +/- 8 years of age from 45 to 83 years, ejection fraction 28% to 80%, left atrial diameter 56 +/- 9.1 mm from 35 to 97 mm) with mitral valve disease, chronic atrial fibrillation was documented for 8.6 +/- 6.8 years. Microwave ablation was performed using a continuous ablation line starting at the posterior mitral valve annulus and incorporating the interior of all pulmonary veins. In 33 patients, mitral valve reconstruction was performed. Ten patients received biologic valve replacement; 3 of them got a stentless quattro mitral valve prosthesis. Survival rate was 99.1% (n = 104). In the 6-month follow-up, 42 of 69 patients were in sinus rhythm (61%); in the 1-year follow-up, 37 of 64 patients were in sinus rhythm (57.8%). Microwave ablation is a safe and efficient method for surgical treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation in patients with mitral valve disease. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.