Midterm clinical experience with microwave surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract

Multiple energy sources and lesion sets have been described as an alternative to the conventional cut-and-sew Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF). Described are midterm results with microwave (MW) energy and a single left-sided lesion set so that surgeons can evaluate whether this approach may be appropriate for their patients. Twenty-nine consecutive patients with chronic (86%) or paroxysmal (14%) AF, undergoing surgery for coexisting heart disease, also underwent MW AF ablation by the use of a single lesion set. A single preoperative and postoperative management regimen was used. One hundred percent electrocardiogram follow-up was obtained. At minimum follow-up of 4 months (mean 315 days), 23 of 28 patients (86%) were in stable sinus rhythm. The simplified lesion set performed with MW energy compares favorably with the cut-and-sew Maze procedure for patients presenting with AF and coexisting acquired cardiac disease. Connecting lesions to the mitral annulus and right-sided lesions may add potential morbidity without additional efficacy.