[Evaluation of modified maze procedure by Doppler tissue imager]
Summary
The modified maze procedure effectively treats rheumatic mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation by improving atrial function and reducing chamber size. This cardiac surgery enhances patient prognosis and lowers thromboembolism risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Rheumatic mitral valve disease often presents with chronic atrial fibrillation (Af).
- The modified maze procedure has been employed since 1998 to address this condition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the modified maze procedure in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and Af.
- To assess changes in atrial contraction and function using echocardiography, specifically Doppler Tissue Imaging (DTI).
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography and DTI were used to measure cardiac dimensions and function before and after surgery in 14 patients.
- Control group of 16 healthy individuals was included for comparison.
- Measurements included atrial and ventricular diameters, cardiac function (EF, FS), and mitral/tricuspid valve annular velocities.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in left and right atrial diameters post-operation in mitral stenosis and regurgitation cases (P < 0.01).
- Left ventricular diameter decreased significantly in mitral regurgitation cases (P < 0.05).
- No significant changes were observed in ventricular dimensions or overall cardiac function (EF, FS) in most cases.
Conclusions:
- The modified maze procedure improves atrial function and reduces atrial size in rheumatic mitral valve disease patients with Af.
- DTI is a sensitive diagnostic tool for assessing atrium-ventricle dynamics, minimizing blood displacement errors.
- The procedure is associated with improved prognosis and reduced risk of thromboembolism.


