title: Mid-term follow-up after maze IV procedures for concomitant atrial fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We performed a retrospective analysis of the maze IV procedures performed in our surgical department for concomitant atrial fibrillation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preoperative, in-hospital and postoperative follow-up data were collected from 46 consecutive patients who underwent the maze IV operation between April 2006 and December 2010. All electrocardiograms and Holters were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One patient died in-hospital. During a mean follow-up of 25 +/- 16.3 months seven patients died: two related to a hemorrhagic stroke, one due to right ventricular failure, the remainder deaths were not cardiac related. The success rate, defined as no recurrence of AF or atrial flutter with a blanking period of 6 months postoperatively, was 73.7%. Plots of probability of freedom of atrial fibrillation over time are drawn and reach a stable level after one year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mid term results of the maze IV procedures for concomitant atrial fibrillation are very good. The results are stable for the remainder of follow-up.
authors: Ph K E W
authors: PK
authors: Ballaux
authors: K K J
authors: KK
authors: Cathenis
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Brondeel
authors: F P R
authors: FP
authors: Provenier
authors: B A A
authors: BA
authors: Francois
authors: D J A
authors: DJ
authors: Goossens
authors: R P H M
authors: RP
authors: Hamerlijnck
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome