title: Predictors for atrial transport function after mini-maze operation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Restoration of atrial transport function (ATF) is a major goal of the maze procedure. This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate predictors of left atrial transport function in patients undergoing a mini-variant of the maze III procedure 3 and 12 months postoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mini-maze operation was performed in 72 patients with a mean age of 64 +/- 8.7 years during a 5-year period. Seventy of 72 (97%) had combined procedures. Clinical and electrophysiologic examination was carried out before surgery, and 3 and 12 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Early mortality was 1.4% (1 of 72 patients) and late death occurred in 5.6% (4 of 71 patients). After 3 months, 54 of 68 (80%) patients showed sinus rhythm, and 48 of 60 (80%) after 12 months. ATF was restored in 87% (echocardiography) and 82% (magnetic resonance imaging) after 3 months, and in 86% (echocardiography) and 78% (magnetic resonance imaging) after 12 months. Independent predictors for ATF restoration after 12 months were better preoperative left ventricular function (p = 0.02), and smaller preoperative left atrial diameter (p = 0.005). Correlation between echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging was 80% after 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Restoration of ATF after mini-maze procedure is achieved in over 80%. Independent predictors for ATF restoration are smaller preoperative left atrial diameter and better preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Kerckhoff-Clinic Foundation, Bad Nauheim, Germany. epb53@yahoo.com
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Z A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Szalay
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Pitschner
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bachmann
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Brunner-La Rocca
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Klövekorn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016279:Atrial Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015996:Survival Rate