Atrial fibrillation surgery simplified with cryoablation to improve left atrial function

Background. The Maze procedure restores atrial fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm. However, concurrent left atrial functional recovery is not always achieved. To address this limitation, a modification using linear cryo-ablation is described. Methods. Between July 1997 and December 1999, 83 patients received atrial fibrillation surgery in association with mitral valve surgery with or without additional concurrent procedures by either the conventional technique, group I (n = 30) or the modified technique, group II (n = 53). Onset of sinus conversion and echocardiographic assessment of postoperative left ventricular function, left atrial size, and mitral A-wave velocity were compared in the early postoperative period and 6 months after surgery. Results. Sinus conversion occurred significantly earlier in group II, 2.4 ± 5 days versus group I, 7.0 ± 10 days. The mean transmitral A-wave velocity and the incidence of A-wave appearance in the early postoperative period and 6 months postoperatively were greater in group II than group I. Conclusions. With the current modification, restoration of sinus rhythm and superior left atrial contractile function occurred earlier than with the standard Maze III technique.