A multi-institutional experience with the CryoMaze procedure.
BACKGROUND
The Cox Maze III operation remains the gold standard for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). We report our experience using a flexible argon-powered metal cryoprobe for creation of the complete Cox-Maze III lesion set in patients with AF (the CryoMaze operation).


METHODS
Beginning July 2002, 38 patients underwent the CryoMaze operation. Two patients had isolated CryoMaze procedures, whereas 36 patients had the CryoMaze performed in combination with coronary, valvular, or aortic surgery. All patients had electrocardiographic follow-up. Atrial fibrillation was continuous in 79%. Mean duration of AF before operation was 48 months.


RESULTS
There were no complications related to the use of cryoenergy. There was 1 hospital death (2.6%) and no late deaths. At a mean follow-up of 12 months, 35 of 37 patients (95%) were in normal sinus rhythm. One patient required pacemaker implantation 3 months after surgery, and 1 patient refused follow-up. There have been no early or late thromboembolic events.


CONCLUSIONS
The CryoMaze operation reliably cures atrial fibrillation at medium term follow-up, with rates identical to those reported for the classic Cox-Maze III operation.
Gammie
James S
JS
Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. jgammie@smail.umaryland.edu
Laschinger
John C
JC
Brown
James M
JM
Poston
Robert S
RS
Pierson
Richard N
RN
Romar
Linda G
LG
Schwartz
Kimberly L
KL
Santos
Mary J
MJ
Griffith
Bartley P
BP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome