title: A new approach to determine the results of minimally invasive pulmonary vein isolation using a continuous loop monitor: preliminary results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Surgical ablation is a well-known treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF); however, little is known about the absolute success rate. The aim of this study is to compare the absolute pre- and postoperative incidence of AF after minimally invasive surgical ablation for paroxysmal AF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty consecutive patients (mean age 55 ± 8; 55% male) received a continuous loop monitor (CLM) 4 weeks prior to a minimally invasive pulmonary vein isolation (MIPVI). The mean preoperative AF burden was compared with the mean AF burden during follow-up. Follow-up was achieved for a period of 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen patients underwent an MIPVI successfully. Two patients did not reach the threshold for surgery. In 1 patient, surgery was discontinued because of a perioperative bleeding due to adhesions after a previous percutaneous AF ablation. Mean AF burden preoperatively was 66%. After 12 months, there was an absolute reduction in AF burden of 65% (95% CI 42-88, P < 0.001) and 12 of 15 patients in follow-up (80%) were free of AF without antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a CLM in the follow-up of surgical ablation is a very accurate way to confirm absolute surgical results. Furthermore, with the use of a CLM, preoperative evaluation can be done more accurately, and the surgical procedure can be adjusted to the patients' needs.
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands m.a.p.oudeman@olvg.nl.
authors: Maurice
authors: M
authors: Oudeman
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Tjon
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Jos
authors: J
authors: Huijgen
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Annet
authors: A
authors: Mijnen
authors: Department of Cardiology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Gijsbert
authors: G
authors: de Ruiter
authors: Department of Cardiology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Muchtiar
authors: M
authors: Khan
authors: Department of Cardiology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Alex
authors: A
authors: Eijkhout
authors: Department of Cardiology, Spaarne Ziekenhuis, Hoofddorp, Netherlands.
authors: Albertus
authors: A
authors: Voogel
authors: Department of Cardiology, Spaarne Ziekenhuis, Hoofddorp, Netherlands.
authors: Aaf
authors: A
authors: Kuijper
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Shirin
authors: S
authors: Lalezari
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Continuous loop monitor; Follow-up; Minimally invasive pulmonary vein isolation; Surgery