title: A multi-institutional experience with the CryoMaze procedure.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. jgammie@smail.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Gammie
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Laschinger
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Poston
authors.forename: Richard N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Pierson
authors.forename: Linda G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Romar
authors.forename: Kimberly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Mary J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Bartley P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Griffith
mesh_terms: 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