AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the safety and efficacy of intraoperative microwave ablation to restore sinus rhythm and systolic atrial function in patients undergoing valvular surgery. METHODS: Forty-one patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent operations. The mean age was 61 years (range, 45- 76 years). AF was permanent in 30 patients and paroxysmal in 11. Associated cardiac procedures were mitral valve repair in 10 patients, mitral valve replacement in 12, and mitro-aortic valve replacement in 19. The microwave procedure (FLEX, AFx inc.) was performed to create an endocardial bilateral encircling isolation of the ostia of the pulmonary veins. RESULTS: There was no hospital mortality or morbidity. The mean follow-up period was 14.2 months. At follow-up, sinus rhythm was found in 34 patients (82.9%). Echocardiography results at follow-up showed no major or minor left atrial thrombosis and only a mild impairment of the systolic left atrial function. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative microwave ablation is a safe and effective treatment to restore sinus rhythm and a mildly impaired left atrial function in patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery.
AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the safety and efficacy of intraoperative microwave ablation to restore sinus rhythm and systolic atrial function in patients undergoing valvular surgery. METHODS: Forty-one patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent operations. The mean age was 61 years (range, 45- 76 years). AF was permanent in 30 patients and paroxysmal in 11. Associated cardiac procedures were mitral valve repair in 10 patients, mitral valve replacement in 12, and mitro-aortic valve replacement in 19. The microwave procedure (FLEX, AFx inc.) was performed to create an endocardial bilateral encircling isolation of the ostia of the pulmonary veins. RESULTS: There was no hospital mortality or morbidity. The mean follow-up period was 14.2 months. At follow-up, sinus rhythm was found in 34 patients (82.9%). Echocardiography results at follow-up showed no major or minor left atrial thrombosis and only a mild impairment of the systolic left atrial function. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative microwave ablation is a safe and effective treatment to restore sinus rhythm and a mildly impaired left atrial function in patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery.
Authors: Spencer J Melby; Andreas Zierer; Jordon G Lubahn; Marci S Bailey; James L Cox; Richard B Schuessler; Ralph J Damiano Journal: Innovations (Phila) Date: 2008-05-01
Authors: Anson M Lee; Jacob R Miller; Rochus K Voeller; Andreas Zierer; Shelly C Lall; Richard B Schuessler; Ralph J Damiano; Spencer J Melby Journal: Innovations (Phila) Date: 2016 Jan-Feb