Validation of a left atrial lesion pattern for intraoperative ablation of atrial fibrillation.
BACKGROUND
Evidence that atrial fibrillation may begin in early stages from triggers or reentry circuits primarily in the left atrium suggests that the entire Maze 3 lesion pattern may be unnecessary. In the present study we describe a new left atrial lesion pattern for intraoperative linear ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation.


METHODS
Endocardial radiofrequency ablation was performed on 12 dogs with chronic atrial fibrillation. Lesions to isolate pulmonary veins in pairs, the left atrial appendage, and connecting lesions between these structures were administered in a randomized approach.


RESULTS
Twelve dogs were in chronic atrial fibrillation for 31 +/- 21 days before ablation. Atrial fibrillation was successfully ablated and rendered noninducible in all 12 dogs. All treatment failures observed with less than the full lesion pattern became a success when the remaining lesions were given.


CONCLUSIONS
Atrial fibrillation ablation using this left atrial lesion pattern is highly successful in this model. This approach may have significant utility as a concomitant procedure for patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing mitral valve procedures.
Kress
David C
DC
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Sinai Samaritan Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. dkress@execpc.com
Krum
David
D
Chekanov
Valeri
V
Hare
John
J
Michaud
Nicole
N
Akhtar
Masood
M
Sra
Jasbir
J
D000818:Animals; D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000294:innervation; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004285:Dogs; D004562:Electrocardiography; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D006324:Heart Arrest, Induced; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000294:innervation* / Q000473:pathology; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000601:surgery*; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000294:innervation