title: Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation is a very common arrhythmia that carries a considerable risk of thromboembolic complications. Surgical treatment is an effective way to convert atrial fibrillation into sinus rhythm and significantly prevents thromboembolism postoperatively. In this review we describe recent advancements in the surgical options and detail our strategy for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Onze Lieve Vrouw Clinic, Aalst, Belgium.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: El Oumeiri
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Casselman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Geelen
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wellens
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Degrieck
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Praet
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cammu
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Vermeulen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vanermen
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D017679:Cryotherapy; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008872:Microwaves; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome