title: Mid-term results for the Maze procedure in patients with non-mitral valvular atrial fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Maze procedure in patients without mitral valve disease remains controversial, because of the increased invasiveness and operation time required to create additional incisions in the atria. The aim of this study was to assess prognosis following the Maze procedure in patients without mitral valve disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and seven consecutive patients who underwent the Maze procedure between 2002 and 2008 was enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of mitral valve disease. Freedom from atrial fibrillation was compared by multivariate logistic regression analysis at discharge. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox-proportional hazard analysis adjusted for other predictors were estimated to compare freedom from atrial fibrillation at follow-up. Follow-up was 98% complete and mean duration of follow-up was 457 days. Operation and aorta cross-clamp times were similar between groups. No differences were identified in freedom from atrial fibrillation at discharge (non-mitral valve surgery, 55% vs. mitral valve surgery, 66%) or follow-up (57% vs. 61%, respectively). In multivariate Cox proportional hazard modelling, the presence of mitral valve disease was not associated with a poor success rate of conversion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of the Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation without mitral valve disease were acceptable. The Maze procedure could be a beneficial option for these patients to avoid adverse events of atrial fibrillation.
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Tai
authors: T
authors: Iwamura
authors: Kan
authors: K
authors: Kajimoto
authors: Taira
authors: T
authors: Yamamoto
authors: Motoshige
authors: M
authors: Yamasaki
authors: Keiichi
authors: K
authors: Tambara
authors: Yuki
authors: Y
authors: Yoneda
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Amano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery; D018579:Patient Selection; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome