Results of radiofrequency ablation for permanent atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The study aim was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of radiofrequency ablation for the surgical treatment of permanent atrial fibrillation in patients with degenerative mitral valve disease.


METHODS
From August 2000 to August 2003, 40 consecutive patients (mean age 69.0 +/- 9.3 years) with permanent atrial fibrillation and degenerative mitral valve disease underwent surgical radiofrequency ablation in conjunction with 22 mitral valve repairs and 18 mitral valve replacements. The mean duration of chronic AF was 5.1 +/- 3.4 years. The completeness of follow-up was 100%. The mean follow-up time was 4.6 +/- 2.0 years (range 0 to 7.8 years).


RESULTS
Thirty-day mortality was 2.5% (1 patient), the cause of death was cardiac failure. Cardiac failure and temporary A-V block were the most common postoperative complications. Both occurred in 10% (4 patients). No complication was related to the ablation procedure. At discharge, 65% (26/40) of the patients were in sinus rhythm. Overall incidence of sinus rhythm at the end of the follow-up was 56.4% (22/39).The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival was 97.5%, 91.8% and 85.9%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Mitral valve surgery combined with radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective procedure in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and degenerative mitral valve disease. The result is encouraging in restoring sinus rhythm, and an excellent postoperative survival rate can be achieved.
Department B of Cardiovascular Surgery, Rangueil Hospital of Toulouse University, Toulouse, France.
Yong-xin
YX
Zhou
Bertrand
B
Leobon
Daniel
D
Roux
Yves
Y
Glock
Yun-qing
YQ
Mei
Yong-wu
YW
Wang
Gérard
G
Fournial
D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D015897:Comorbidity; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged