[The Long Outcome of the Left Atrial Appendage Preserving Maze Procedure]

We retrospectively study the outcome of left atrial appendage (LAA) preserving maze procedure, focus on thrombus formation in left atrium( LA), postoperative stroke, and LA function.

We studied 131 patients (mean age, 68.2y;77 men and 54 women) who underwent maze procedure for atrial fibrillation( Af) between 2008 and 2020. Full maze was performed for 116 patients with long-standing persistent Af or persistent Af. Pulmonary vein isolation alone was performed for 15 patients with paroxysmal Af. The mean follow-up period was 2.9( 10.1-0.4) years.

In perioperative results, there were no death, cerebral infarction, and reoperation in this series. At discharge, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years after the surgery, sinus rhythm was maintained in 92%, 87%, 83%, 77%. Pacemaker was implanted in 8( early 3, late 5) patients. Despite adequate anticoagulant therapy, one patient developed cerebral infarction a month postoperatively. In other patients, there was no cerebral infarction in short-term nor long-term.

The LAA preserving maze procedure was not a risk factor of cerebral infarction under appropriate medication. However, close follow-up is essential.