title: [Effects of combined mitral valve replacement and radiofrequency atrial ablation in chronic atrial fibrillation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to find out the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter atrial ablation (RF) simultaneously done with mitral valve replacement (MVR) surgery in patients having rheumatic mitral valve disease with chronic atrial fibrillation and to evaluate the short-term postoperative results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen patients underwent MVR surgery, and intraoperative RF procedures were done simultaneously with MVR to eight of these patients, whereas remaining nine of them were assigned to control group. Patients were assessed preoperatively, at time of discharge, and 1st, 6th and 12th months controls. Atrial and ventricular functions were evaluated with echocardiography, serum atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels were investigated and electrocardiograms were recorded in all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographically there were no significant differences between two groups. Radiofrequency ablation group had longer aortic cross-clamping and cardiopulmonary bypass times. Sinus rhythm was established in seven patients of RF group at postoperative 12th month. However, all patients of this group experienced sinus rhythm at postoperative sixth month whereas 'atrial kick' was detected in five of them. Significantly increased ejection fraction, decreased pulmonary artery pressure and decreased left atrial diameter were observed in RF group compared to control group. Serum ANP levels were found to be significantly decreased as compared to preoperative periods in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although RF ablation has higher costs, this technique is efficient and useful to restore the sinus rhythm and to recover the atrial functions back in patients having rheumatic mitral valve disease.
authors.affiliation: Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hastanesi Kalp Damar Cerrahisi Kliniği, Ankara, Türkiye. sakgul@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ilknur
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bahar
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akgül
authors.forename: Seyhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Babaroğlu
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ozatik
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Turhan
authors.forename: M Kamil
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Göl
authors.forename: Erol
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sener
authors.forename: Oğuz
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Taşdemir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor