Surgical Radiofrequency MAZE III Ablation for Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation during Open Heart Surgery

Background- Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia in patients with rheumatic mitral and other valve diseases who are candidates for valve repair surgery. Conversion to sinus rhythm has positive effects on quality of life and lowering medication use. The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the radiofrequency ablation Maze III procedure in the treatment of atrial fibrillation associated with rheumatic heart valve disease. Methods- We applied the modified Cox III Maze procedure with the use of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation associated with rheumatic heart valve disease and evaluated the outcome in 20 patients with atrial fibrillation. Demographic, echocardiographic, electrocardiographic and Doppler study data were calculated before and six months and one year after surgery. Results- No perioperative deaths occurred in the study group. Duration of additional time needed for doing radiofrequency ablation was about 22 minutes. Freedom from atrial fibrillation was 85% and 75% at six months and one-year follow up, respectively. Conclusions- The addition of the radiofrequency ablation Maze procedure to heart valve surgery is safe and effective in the treatment of atrial fibrillation associated with rheumatic heart valve disease (Iranian Heart Journal 2006; 7 (4):6-12).