Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation with diode-pumped laser

Twenty-eight patients from a single surgeon and center underwent atrial fibrillation surgery using a diode-pumped laser. A left-sided modified (pulmonary vein encircling with connecting lesions) or a complete modified Cox-Maze III operation was employed. Of the 28 patients, 23 were available for retrospective evaluation and Holter monitoring, and 21 patients elected to participate in a follow-up study. The Society for Thoracic Surgeons database was used for in-hospital experience. All 21 patients were studied >6 months after surgery and received a 24-hour Holter monitor and an SF-36v2 quality of life survey. The mean follow-up time was 18.1 months. Among this group, one patient was in atrial fibrillation and four experienced atrial tachyarrhythmias at the time of Holter monitoring. Five patients (24%) underwent cardioversion after operation, and nine patients (43%) were on warfarin. No patients were treated with repeat ablation. One patient required a pacemaker postoperatively. We observed 95% freedom from atrial fibrillation and 76% freedom from all atrial tachyarrhythmias in the study group. No complications or deaths were device related. In conclusion, the use of a diode-pumped laser appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.