title: Time-related prevalence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after stand-alone minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present our results with minimally invasive surgical treatment of lone atrial fibrillation (LAF) employing a radiofrequency (RF) source through a bilateral thoracoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2007 and January 2011, 28 consecutive patients (85.7% male, mean age 67.1 ± 9.1 years) with LAF underwent video-assisted bilateral RF ablation. Fourteen patients (50%) had paroxysmal, five (17.8%) persistent, and nine (32.2%) long-persistent LAF. All patients were followed-up according to the Heart Rhythm Society/ European Heart Rhythm Association/European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society (HRS/EHRA/ECA) and success/failure was reported as suggested by Society of Thoracic Surgeon (STS) guidelines. Mean follow-up was 27.8 ± 8.6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Time-related prevalence of postoperative AF was 4.5% at 36 months. Success was much more likely in subjects with paroxysmal (3-year prevalence, 0%) or persistent (3-year prevalence, 0%) than long-standing persistent LAF (3-year prevalence, 8.3%). At 36 months the estimated prevalence of antiarrhythmic drugs was 11.3% (8.8 to 13.7). No major thromboembolic events were detected during the follow-up period and 36-month prevalence of Warfarin use was 15.2% (11.5 to 18.1). Finally, no patient underwent electrical cardioversion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This approach yielded satisfactory results with a high degree of safety. Further larger studies are necessary to confirm our findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Academic Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: La Meir
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gelsomino
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Luca
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pison
authors.forename: Pol
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chambille
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Parise
authors.forename: Harry J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Crijns
authors.forename: Jos G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Maessen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D015995:Prevalence; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants