Intraoperative saline-irrigated radiofrequency modified Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the saline-irrigated radiofrequency modified Maze operation for treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation, and to compare the results of the left and biatrial procedures.

During a period of 11 months, 62 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation who were having concomitant cardiac surgery underwent the procedure. The mean age of the patients was 52 +/- 14 years. Patients underwent either a biatrial (group A; n = 39) or left atrial (group B; n = 23) procedure.

Two patients (3.2%) died early in the postoperative period. Three patients (4.8%) required reoperation for bleeding. One patient in group A (1.6%) received a permanent pacemaker. Patients in both groups were free of atrial fibrillation at the end of the procedure (group A: sinus 86.9%, pacemaker 13%; group B: sinus 90.5%, pacemaker 9.5%) (p > 0.05). At 1-month and longer-term follow-up, sinus rhythm was maintained in 92% and 95% of cases in group A, respectively, whereas this rate was 71% and 81% in group B (p > 0.05). Holter monitor surveillance revealed a higher rate of atrial fibrillation, atrial arrhythmias, and atrial flutter in group B (p < 0.05). Transthoracic echocardiography revealed improvement over time in left atrial transport function in both groups (p < 0.05).

The saline-irrigated radiofrequency modified Maze procedure was performed safely and efficiently. Both the left and biatrial procedures were successful in terms of restoring sinus rhythm during short-term follow-up. Long-term follow-up with more cases is needed to show the superiority of one method over the other.