title: [The maze operation--surgical therapy of chronic atrial fibrillation: modification to mini-maze operation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia. However, its precise electrophysiologic mechanism is still not well understood. Chronic symptomatic atrial fibrillation resistant to medical therapy can successfully be treated by the Maze III procedure (M III). Several publications are dealing with alternative surgical techniques. This study describes technique and midterm results of a Mini-variant (Mini) of the Maze III procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 48-month period we performed either a M III (group I = 7 patients) or a Mini-Maze operation (group II = 65 patients) in 33 males and 39 females with chronic symptomatic atrial fibrillation and additional cardiac pathology. Patients were controlled 4.0 +/- 1.8 months (group I) respectively 3.6 +/- 0.8 months (group II) (NS) and 16.75 +/- 2.5 months (group I) respectively 13.2 +/- 1.9 months (group II) (NS) after operation by means of thorough electrophysiological assessment, right heart catheterization, MRI, echocardiography, stress-ECG and 24 h-ECG.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to sex, age and duration of AF. Echocardiographic left atrial diameter (LAD) was 75 +/- 11 mm in group I and 65 +/- 8 mm in group II (p = 0.002). Whereas right atrial diameter was 62 +/- 8 mm in group I and 57 +/- 7 mm in group II (NS). Perioperative data (n = 72): Aortic cross clamp time was 127 +/- 40 min in group I and 87 +/- 22 min in group II (p = 0.0002). Cardiopulmonary bypass time was 185 +/- 71 min in group I and 137 +/- 42 min in group II (p = 0.01). Postoperative data I (first follow-up: n = 66): sinus rhythm (yes): 4/7 vs. 47/59 (NS); pacemaker (PM) in AAI mode (yes): 1/7 vs. 3/59 (NS); inducible atrial fibrillation (yes): 2/7 vs. 5/59 (NS); Bradycardie Tachycardie Syndrome with the need of PM implantation 0/7 vs. 4/59 (NS). Postoperative data II (second follow-up: n = 55): sinus rhythm (yes): 5/7 vs. 34/48 (NS); PM in AAI mode (yes): 0/7 vs. 4/48 (NS); Inducible atrial fibrillation (yes): 2/7 vs. 5/48 (NS); Bradycardia Tachycardia Syndrome with the need of PM Implantation 0/7 vs. 5/48.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Midterm results are identical after M III and Mini. The Mini-Maze procedure is less complex compared to the Maze III procedure and there is a significant reduction of crossclamp and ECC times. We recommend the Mini especially for polymorbid patients and for those with poor left ventricular function.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Herzchirurgie, Kerckhoff-Klinik, Benekestr. 2-8, D-61231 Bad Nauheim. Zoltan.A.Szala@Kerckhoff.med.uni-Giessen.de
authors.forename: Z A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Szalay
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Skwara
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Pitschner
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Faude
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Klövekorn
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Bauer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000601:surgery