Clinical analysis of results of a simple left atrial procedure for chronic atrial fibrillation.
BACKGROUND
We have performed a simple left atrial procedure for eliminating chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) associated with mitral valve disease. This article analyzes the midterm results of this procedure.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients were enrolled in this study concomitant with mitral valve operations. Patients were divided into two groups (AF- and AF+). We examined the efficacy of this operation and atrial function for more than 12 months of follow-up.


RESULTS
In a total of 98.5 patient years of follow-up, AF was absent 3 years after operation in 74%. Of preoperative and intraoperative variables, only long duration o
Imai
K
K
First Department of Surgery, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan. kimai@mcai.med.hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Sueda
T
T
Orihashi
K
K
Watari
M
M
Matsuura
Y
Y
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016279:Atrial Function, Left / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012008:Recurrence