title: Cox/Maze III operation versus radiofrequency ablation for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation: a comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, by comparatively analyzing the outcomes of the patients who underwent RF ablation with those of patients who underwent Cox/Maze III surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between April 1995 and June 2002, 70 patients underwent surgery for atrial fibrillation and open-heart surgery at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the University of Bologna: 30 patients underwent the surgical Cox/Maze III procedure (group 1), and 40 patients underwent the RF ablation according to the Maze III configuration at least on the left atrium (group 2). There were 14 males and 56 females, with a mean age of 61.5 +/- 12.5 years (range 22 to 80 years old).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Groups 1 and 2 did not differ in terms of baseline characteristics. The perioperative mortality rate was not significantly different between the two groups (6.6% in group 1 vs 7.5% in group 2). The overall cumulative rates of sinus rhythm were 68.9% in group 1 and 88.5% in group 2 (not statistically significant). Biatrial contraction was assessed by transthoracic echocardiography in 70.4% of the patients in group 1 and 76.5% of the patients in group 2 (p = 0.65).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RF ablation procedure offers as good results as the Cox/Maze III operation, allowing recovery of the sinus rhythm and atrial function in the great majority of patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent open heart surgery; it is a safe and effective means of curing atrial fibrillation with negligible technical and time requirements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. bruno_chiappini@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chiappini
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martìn-Suàrez
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: LoForte
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arpesella
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Bartolomeo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marinelli
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged