title: Evaluation of Early and Intermediate Outcomes of Cryo-MazeProcedure for Atrial Fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia in patients with mitral valve disease affecting 50% of patients undergoing mitral valve surgery, contributing to increased risks of systemic embolization, anticoagulant- related hemorrhage and mortality. The maze procedure is an effective way to treat AF. Over the last several years, cryoablation was substituted for atrial incision in many reports to simplify the maze procedure. However, few studies have been carried out to evaluate the results of cryoablation surgery. In the present study we evaluated the results of this procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross sectional study, 47 AF patients were treated with Cryo-Maze surgery method. Rhythm assessment using electrocardiographic and echocardiographic survey was performed in all patients before surgery, during the patients' hospital stay, on discharge and after six months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survival rate of the studied patients at six months was 93.6%. Sinus rhythm restoration rate in Cryo-Maze patients was 72.1% on discharge and 76.7% six months after their operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study revealed that Cryo-Maze procedure is an effective and safe therapeutic modality in AF while normal sinus rhythm can be achieved in patients following this intervention.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yaghoubi
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rostamzadeh
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pezeshkian
authors.forename: Rezayat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parvizi
authors.forename: Shahin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Imani
keywords: Atrial Fibrillation; Cryoablation; Maze Surgery