[Left atrial isolation for chronic atrial fibrillation associated with aortic arch dissection and aortic valve disease in a 70-year-old man].

A 70-year-old male with aortic regurgitation, chronic atrial fibrillation (Af) and chronic aortic dissection of the aortic arch was treated simultaneously. We found a limited dissection in front of aortic arch during operation. We performed total arch replacement using a branched prosthesis and aortic valve replacement in addition to a modified left atrial isolation for chronic Af under the aid of extracorporeal circulation, and selective cerebral perfusion. Left atrial isolation is a simpler procedure than maze procedure and left side maze procedure for eliminating Af. This simple procedure makes possible a simultaneous extended operation for complicated aortic and cardiac disease even in an elderly patient.