title: Bipolar radiofrequency maze procedure through a transseptal approach.
abstract: We report how to perform a complete open-heart ablation with bipolar radiofrequency through a transseptal incision. The connecting left atrial lines were performed by inserting one jaw of the clamp through a stab wound in the posterior left atrium, beneath the right inferior pulmonary vein. Twenty-five patients underwent concomitant ablation with the described technique in three different centers. All the left lines were easily performed. No ablation-related complication occurred. At 11 +/- 6 months, 80% of the patients were free from arrhythmias.
authors: Division of Cardiac Surgery, S. Raffaele University Hospital, Milan, Italy. stefano.benussi@hsr.it
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Benussi
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Cini
authors: Sydney L
authors: SL
authors: Gaynor
authors: Ottavio
authors: O
authors: Alfieri
authors: Antonio M
authors: AM
authors: Calafiore
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans