title: Combined stentless mitral valve implantation and radiofrequency ablation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of combined stentless mitral valve (SMV) replacement and intraoperative radiofrequency ablation for chronic atrial fibrillation (IRAAF) to restore physiologic hemodynamic function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Since July 1998 12 patients (72+/-4 years, 10 women, mitral stenosis/mitral incompetence 8/4, NYHA 3.3+/-0.4, CI 1.8+/-0.5) had SMV implantation and received additional IRAAF by inducing continuous left atrial lesion lines from the MV annulus to all four pulmonary veins and to the atriotomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The flexible SMV was implanted at the papillary muscles and at the annulus using a conventional (n = 6) or a minimally invasive approach (n = 6). Sinus rhythm was successfully restored in 10 of 12 patients with 6- and 12-months' follow-up; 2 required DDD-pacemaker implantation. However, in the early postoperative period several interventions including medical treatment (sotalol or amiodarone) in 9 and electrical cardioversion in 7 patients was required. Two patients required reinterventions: 1 cardioversion and 1 amiodarone medication after 3 and 6 months, respectively. At echocardiography the SMV demonstrated good hemodynamic function and atrial contraction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Restoration of physiologic cardiac function by SMV implantation and IRAAF is advantageous and no further anticoagulation is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Heart Surgery, Heartcenter, University of Leipzig, Germany. walt@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Walther
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Falk
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walther
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krauss
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hindricks
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kottkamp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kostelka
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diegeler
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Autschbach
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Mohr
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome