title: Predictive factors of sustained sinus rhythm and recurrent atrial fibrillation after the maze procedure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined perioperative predictors of sustained sinus rhythm (SR) in patients undergoing the Cox maze operation and concomitant cardiac surgery for structural heart disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  From October 1999 to December 2008, 90 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent the Cox maze operation and other concomitant cardiac surgery. Eighty-nine patients, all except for one postoperative death, were followed-up with serial electrocardiographic studies, 24-hour Holter monitoring tests, and regular echocardiographic studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-nine patients undergoing the maze operation were divided into two groups according to the presence of SR. At the time of last follow-up (mean follow-up period, 51.0±30.8 months), 79 patients (88.8%) showed SR (SR group) and 10 patients (11.2%) had recurrent AF (AF group). Factors predictive of sustained SR were the immediate postoperative conversion to SR (odds ratio, 97.2; p=0.001) and the presence of SR at the 6th month postoperatively (odds ratio, 155.7; p=0.002). Duration of AF, mitral valve surgery, number of valves undergoing surgery, left atrial dimension, and perioperative left ventricular dimensions and ejection fractions were not predictors of postoperative maintenance of SR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immediate postoperative SR conversion and the presence of SR at the 6th postoperative month were independent predictors of sustained SR after the maze operation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Bum
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hyun Kyu
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kyung Hwa
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Min Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ja Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kuh
authors.forename: Mi-Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sam Youn
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Arrhythmia surgery; Outcome assessment; Recurrence