title: Atrial size and transport function after the Maze III procedure for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Maze procedure is a curative surgical therapy for atrial fibrillation, restoring sinus rhythm and improving quality of life. Because the procedure results in tissue scarring, the atrial transport function is most likely affected.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent the Maze III procedure without any concomitant valve operation. Atrial size and transport function were measured before and at 2, 6, and 24 months after operations with two-dimensional echocardiography and pulsed-wave Doppler.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen patients (88%) had signs of left atrial contractions as shown by the presence of a transmitral atrial filling wave on Doppler echocardiography at 6 months follow-up. The transmitral early filling wave and atrial filling wave were measured to calculate the early filling/atrial filling wave ratio, which increased from 1.2 before to 1.9 at 2 months after the Maze procedure (nonsignificant), and further to 2.8 at 24 months (p = 0.02). A decrease in the right and left atrial size was seen at 2 months after an operation, but no further decrease occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, there is a progressive increase in the transmitral early filling/atrial filling wave ratio after the Maze procedure, consistent with a gradual decrease in the left atrial transport function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lönnerholm
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blomström
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Carina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blomström-Lundqvist
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016275:Atrial Function; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period