Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation in the heart failure population.
Surgery to correct a structural heart valve problem can restore sinus rhythm in approximately one-fifth of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and the addition of a maze procedure will increase this proportion. Evidence shows that the maze procedure may restore atrial function in some patients and may have beneficial effects on functional symptoms and prognosis. The role of the maze procedure as an isolated treatment for lone AF in the context of heart failure with no structurally correctable cause is unknown. Future progress will determine the appropriate indications for treatment and the risks and benefits of any intervention.
Papworth Hospital, Cambridge CB23 3RE, UK. Electronic address: srl24@cam.ac.uk.
Stephen R
SR
Large
Samer A M
SA
Nashef
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis
Atrial fibrillation; Heart failure; Maze procedure; Surgery; Treatment