title: A completely endoscopic approach to microwave ablation for atrial fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical therapy for atrial fibrillation is extremely effective but not widely applied. Minimally invasive methods may be more attractive. We report a case of complete pulmonary vein isolation performed entirely through a thoracoscopic approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 74-year-old woman with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent a microwave ablation procedure using 3 access ports in the right pleural space and 3 access ports through the left pleural space.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the 3-hour procedure the patient was extubated in the operating room and discharged home in sinus rhythm on the second postoperative day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic pulmonary vein isolation is a safe and effective procedure that may be applied to a wide variety of patients.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Cardiology, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. saltmana@ummbc.org
authors.forename: Adam E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Saltman
authors.forename: Lawrence S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: Nicola A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Francalancia
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lahey
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods