title: Intraoperative microwave ablation in patients undergoing valvular surgery: midterm results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the safety and efficacy of intraoperative microwave ablation to restore sinus rhythm and systolic atrial function in patients undergoing valvular surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent operations. The mean age was 61 years (range, 45- 76 years). AF was permanent in 30 patients and paroxysmal in 11. Associated cardiac procedures were mitral valve repair in 10 patients, mitral valve replacement in 12, and mitro-aortic valve replacement in 19. The microwave procedure (FLEX, AFx inc.) was performed to create an endocardial bilateral encircling isolation of the ostia of the pulmonary veins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no hospital mortality or morbidity. The mean follow-up period was 14.2 months. At follow-up, sinus rhythm was found in 34 patients (82.9%). Echocardiography results at follow-up showed no major or minor left atrial thrombosis and only a mild impairment of the systolic left atrial function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intraoperative microwave ablation is a safe and effective treatment to restore sinus rhythm and a mildly impaired left atrial function in patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Department, Umberto I Hospital, Venice-Mestre, Italy. andrventurini@libero.it
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Venturini
authors.forename: Elvio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Polesel
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cutaia
authors.forename: Angiolino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asta
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mangino
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Terrini
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zussa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000628:therapy; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged