title: Efficiency of radiofrequency ablation for surgical treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation in rheumatic valvular disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It remains unclear whether concomitant radiofrequency ablation procedure in valvular surgery could offer additional benefits to patients with rheumatic valvular disease. We designed a prospective and randomized control study to evaluate the efficacy of surgical radiofrequency ablation in patients with rheumatic heart disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2008 to July 2011, 210 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and rheumatic heart disease were randomized: (1) control group, patients underwent only valve replacement followed by amiodarone for rhythm control, (2) left atrial group (LA group), patients underwent valve replacement and left atrial mono-polar radiofrequency ablation, (3) bi-atrial group (BA group), patients underwent valve replacement and bi-atrial mono-polar radiofrequency ablation. The primary endpoints included: cardiac death, stroke, and recurrent AF after discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no perioperative death. One patient died 4 months after MVR in BA group. In univariate Cox analysis, the two ablation groups were associated with less AF (BA group vs control group: P<0.001; LA group vs control group: P<0.001) as well as atrial tachycardia arrhythmia (AF/AT/AFL) recurrent (BA group vs control group: P<0.001; LA group vs control group: P=0.02). The comparison between BA and LA groups revealed no differences in terms of AF (P=0.06) or AF/AT/AFL (P=0.09). Atrial transport function restoration rate 12 months after operation was 31.4% in LA group, 32.9% in BA group, and 8.6% in control group respectively (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiofrequency ablation concurring with valvular surgery can bring a higher sinus rhythm restoration rate when compared with medical anti-arrhythmic drug therapy in low-medium risk rheumatic heart disease. The trial was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov (registry number NCT01013688).
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Surgery Department, Fuwai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy Of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China.
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Surgery Department, Fuwai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy Of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Surgery Department, Fuwai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy Of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China.
authors.forename: Yunhu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Surgery Department, Fuwai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy Of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China.
authors.forename: Shengshou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Surgery Department, Fuwai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy Of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China. Electronic address: drweiwang0728@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Ablation; Atrial fibrillation; Rheumatic heart valve disease