title: The effect of microwave and bipolar radio-frequency ablation in the surgical treatment of permanent atrial fibrillation during valve surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent problem in patients undergoing valve surgery. This study compared microwave and bipolar radio-frequency ablation of the left atrium in AF patients undergoing valve surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who required left atrial ablation for permanent AF (duration > 6 months) during valve surgery were randomized to a microwave group (n = 94) or a radio-frequency group (n = 93). Regular follow-up was carried out at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post-procedure and annually thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 4 postoperative deaths in the microwave group and 2 in the radio-frequency group. The median follow-up for all patients was 24.0 months (range: 12-36.0 months). Freedom from AF recurrence was significantly higher in the radio-frequency group than in the microwave group at 3 months (85.7 vs. 72.2 %,  P = 0.026), 6 months (87.9 vs. 73.3 %%,  P = 0.013), 9 months (84.6 vs. 68.9 %,  P = 0.012), 12 months (84.6 vs. 67.8 %%,  P = 0.008), and 24 months (88.7 vs. 71.2 %,  P = 0.022) and at the latest follow-up (81.3 vs. 65.6 %,  P = 0.016).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bipolar radio-frequency ablation is superior to microwave ablation for the treatment of permanent AF in patients undergoing valve surgery.
authors.affiliation: Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China. proflim@yahoo.cn
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Z G
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Shan
authors.forename: C X
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000601:surgery*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011846:Radio Waves; D016896:Treatment Outcome