Thomas A Molloy1. 1. Legacy Health Systems, Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, Oregon, USA. tmolloy302@aol.com
Abstract
PURPOSE: Multiple energy sources and lesion sets have been described as an alternative to the conventional cut-and-sew Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF). Described are midterm results with microwave (MW) energy and a single left-sided lesion set so that surgeons can evaluate whether this approach may be appropriate for their patients. DESCRIPTION: Twenty-nine consecutive patients with chronic (86%) or paroxysmal (14%) AF, undergoing surgery for coexisting heart disease, also underwent MW AF ablation by the use of a single lesion set. A single preoperative and postoperative management regimen was used. EVALUATION: One hundred percent electrocardiogram follow-up was obtained. At minimum follow-up of 4 months (mean 315 days), 23 of 28 patients (86%) were in stable sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: The simplified lesion set performed with MW energy compares favorably with the cut-and-sew Maze procedure for patients presenting with AF and coexisting acquired cardiac disease. Connecting lesions to the mitral annulus and right-sided lesions may add potential morbidity without additional efficacy.
PURPOSE: Multiple energy sources and lesion sets have been described as an alternative to the conventional cut-and-sew Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF). Described are midterm results with microwave (MW) energy and a single left-sided lesion set so that surgeons can evaluate whether this approach may be appropriate for their patients. DESCRIPTION: Twenty-nine consecutive patients with chronic (86%) or paroxysmal (14%) AF, undergoing surgery for coexisting heart disease, also underwent MW AF ablation by the use of a single lesion set. A single preoperative and postoperative management regimen was used. EVALUATION: One hundred percent electrocardiogram follow-up was obtained. At minimum follow-up of 4 months (mean 315 days), 23 of 28 patients (86%) were in stable sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: The simplified lesion set performed with MW energy compares favorably with the cut-and-sew Maze procedure for patients presenting with AF and coexisting acquired cardiac disease. Connecting lesions to the mitral annulus and right-sided lesions may add potential morbidity without additional efficacy.