Surgical biatrial ablation of atrial fibrillation: initial results.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results of intraoperative radiofrequency ablation with biatrial procedure in the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation in patients with associated cardiac disease.


METHODS
Between February 2008 and May 2009, 15 consecutive patients were underwent mitral valve procedure plus modified radiofrequency biatrial ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation. The mean age was 47.73 +/- 9.85 years and 60% were male. The mean left atrial diameter was 55.06 +/- 7.56 mm.


RESULTS
There were no hospital mortality or complications related to radiofrequency ablation. The mean follow-up period was 7 +/- 4 months. At the time of hospital discharge nine (60%) patients were in sinus rhythm. After a mean follow-up period 11 (73.3%) were in sinus rhythm.


CONCLUSIONS
Intraoperative biatrial radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation, with satisfactory midterms outcomes in terms of conversion to sinus rhythm.
Breda
João Roberto
JR
Cardiovascular Surgery Service, Mário Covas State Hospital, Cardiovascular Surgery Discipline from ABC Medical School (FMABC), Santo André, SP, Brazil. jrbreda@hotmail.com
Ragognette
Ricardo Gitti
RG
Breda
Ana Silvia Castaldi Ragognetti
AS
Gurian
Danilo Bortolloto
DB
Horiuti
Louise
L
Machado
Leandro Neves
LN
Freitas
Andréa Cristina de Oliveira
AC
Pires
Adilson Casemiro
AC
D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome