Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: RESULTS: A total of 29 patients were included (27 male), with a mean age of 48 +/- 6 years. At the time of surgery, 11 patients (38%) had persistent AF. After a mean follow-up of 4.8 +/- 2.4 years, 79% of patients had complete success, and 2 patients (7%) were free of AF with antiarrhythmic drugs. At the end of follow-up, left ventricular fractional shortening was significantly improved (from 31% +/- 10% to 39% +/- 8%, p = 0.002), left atrial size was unchanged, exercise capacity was within normal ranges, and quality of life was comparable with that of healthy controls. Severe complications included reoperations for postoperative bleeding (n = 3), pericardial effusion (n = 1), and mediastinitis (n = 1). In 2 patients, a pacemaker was implanted postoperatively because of sinus node dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS:
Cox maze III surgery is a highly effective therapy for drug-refractory lone AF, and therefore remains an alternative to transvenous pulmonary vein ablation.
|
Authors | Martin E W Hemels, Youlan L Gu, Anton E Tuinenburg, Piet W Boonstra, Ans C P Wiesfeld, Maarten P van den Berg, Dirk J Van Veldhuisen, Isabelle C Van Gelder |
Journal | The Annals of thoracic surgery
(Ann Thorac Surg)
Vol. 81
Issue 5
Pg. 1773-9
(May 2006)
ISSN: 1552-6259 [Electronic] Netherlands |
PMID | 16631671
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Atrial Fibrillation
(diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, surgery)
- Cardiac Surgical Procedures
- Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
- Exercise Test
- Exercise Tolerance
- Female
- Humans
- Length of Stay
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pacemaker, Artificial
- Prognosis
- Quality of Life
- Treatment Outcome
- Ultrasonography
|