TY - JOUR
T1 - Maze surgery normalizes left ventricular function in patients with persistent lone atrial fibrillation
AU - Pozzoli, Alberto
AU - Taramasso, Maurizio
AU - Coppola, Giuditta
AU - Kamami, Mikel
AU - La Canna, Giovanni
AU - Della Bella, Paolo
AU - Alfieri, Ottavio
AU - Benussi, Stefano
PY - 2014/11/1
Y1 - 2014/11/1
N2 - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the mid-term clinical and functional outcomes of maze surgery in symptomatic refractory lone atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.METHODS: Between March 2008 and January 2013, 39 highly symptomatic patients [mean age 51 ± 10 (mean ± standard deviation); 95% CI, European Heart Rhythm Association class III-IV] underwent maze surgery for lone AF. Biatrial ablations were performed with bipolar radiofrequency and cryoenergy, according to a maze III lesion set (modified by omitting the intercaval line in 5 of 39 patients). Mean ejection fraction was 51 ± 9% (range 17-60), RESULTS: A minimally invasive approach was adopted in 22 patients (56%). Major complications were 1 mediastinitis, 1 re-exploration for bleeding and 2 pacemaker (5%) implantation. At a mean follow-up of 29.4 ± 14.2 months, freedom from arrhythmias was 92 and 93% at 24 and 36 months, respectively. Freedom without antiarrhythmic drugs was 75 and 85% at 24 and 36 months, respectively. Ejection fraction normalized in all cases, from 51.3 ± 9% to 61.1 ± 3% (P <0.001) overall, and from 37.0 ± 10% to 60.3 ± 3% (P <0.001) when ≤ 45% preoperatively. AF-related symptoms score decreased to class I in 36 patients (93%). No early or late stroke occurred.CONCLUSIONS: Within a dedicated AF centre, maze surgery grants excellent outcomes, with symptoms relief and negligible risk. It provides a complete reversal of arrhythmia-related myocardial dysfunction and is therefore a convenient alternative to His bundle ablation and lifelong pacemaker dependency in symptomatic refractory patients.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the mid-term clinical and functional outcomes of maze surgery in symptomatic refractory lone atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.METHODS: Between March 2008 and January 2013, 39 highly symptomatic patients [mean age 51 ± 10 (mean ± standard deviation); 95% CI, European Heart Rhythm Association class III-IV] underwent maze surgery for lone AF. Biatrial ablations were performed with bipolar radiofrequency and cryoenergy, according to a maze III lesion set (modified by omitting the intercaval line in 5 of 39 patients). Mean ejection fraction was 51 ± 9% (range 17-60), RESULTS: A minimally invasive approach was adopted in 22 patients (56%). Major complications were 1 mediastinitis, 1 re-exploration for bleeding and 2 pacemaker (5%) implantation. At a mean follow-up of 29.4 ± 14.2 months, freedom from arrhythmias was 92 and 93% at 24 and 36 months, respectively. Freedom without antiarrhythmic drugs was 75 and 85% at 24 and 36 months, respectively. Ejection fraction normalized in all cases, from 51.3 ± 9% to 61.1 ± 3% (P <0.001) overall, and from 37.0 ± 10% to 60.3 ± 3% (P <0.001) when ≤ 45% preoperatively. AF-related symptoms score decreased to class I in 36 patients (93%). No early or late stroke occurred.CONCLUSIONS: Within a dedicated AF centre, maze surgery grants excellent outcomes, with symptoms relief and negligible risk. It provides a complete reversal of arrhythmia-related myocardial dysfunction and is therefore a convenient alternative to His bundle ablation and lifelong pacemaker dependency in symptomatic refractory patients.
KW - Arrhythmias
KW - Atrial fibrillation ablation
KW - Congestive heart failure
KW - Electrophysiology
KW - Maze surgery
KW - Minimally invasive surgery
KW - Transcatheter ablation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84933524546&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84933524546&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/ejcts/ezu034
DO - 10.1093/ejcts/ezu034
M3 - Article
C2 - 24599164
AN - SCOPUS:84933524546
VL - 46
SP - 871
EP - 876
JO - European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery
JF - European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery
SN - 1010-7940
IS - 5
ER -