title: Long-term results of irrigated radiofrequency modified maze procedure in 200 patients with concomitant cardiac surgery: six years experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Cox maze procedure is considered an effective surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients with and without organic heart disease. Radiofrequency energy offers an alternative to the complex surgical maze procedure. We used the radiofrequency modified maze III procedure in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing elective concomitant cardiac surgery. This study evaluated the long-term results of the irrigated radiofrequency ablation to create linear lines of conduction block endocardially.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November 1995 and June 2001, 200 patients with mainly structural heart disease and chronic atrial fibrillation underwent intraoperative radiofrequency linear ablation in both atria with concomitant cardiac surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The in-hospital mortality rate was 3.5% (7 patients) and during the mean follow-up of 40 months (range, 12 to 80) 27 patients (13.5%) died. Eight patients (4%) were lost from follow-up and complete data were available in 158 survivors. Sinus or atrial rhythm was present in 116 patients (73.4%) and an atrial driven rhythm in 10 patients (6.3%) with an atrioventricular pacemaker. Atrial fibrillation or flutter was documented in 32 patients (20.3%). Antiarrhythmic drugs were used in 49% of survivors who were free of atrial fibrillation or flutter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intraoperative radiofrequency endocardial ablation is an effective technique to eliminate atrial fibrillation with promising long-term results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Cardiology, Isala Clinics, Zwolle, The Netherlands. hauw.sie@hccnet.nl
authors.forename: Hauw T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Sie
authors.forename: Willem P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Beukema
authors.forename: Arif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elvan
authors.forename: Anand R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ramdat Misier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D016896:Treatment Outcome