Evaluation of radiofrequency ablation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing mitral valve surgery

This study aims to evaluate the clinical and demographic factors influencing the restoration of sinus rhythm and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) concomitant with mitral valve surgery. By analyzing the associations between rhythm outcomes, mortality, and patient characteristics, this study seeks to identify predictors of ablation success and provide valuable insights into optimizing treatment strategies for atrial fibrillation in this high-risk patient population.

Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were analyzed. Postoperative electrocardiography (ECG) findings during the first year after surgery were used to classify patients into two groups: those who achieved sinus rhythm (SR) and those who remained in atrial fibrillation (AF). Additionally, patients were categorized into survivors and non-survivors within the first postoperative year for statistical comparisons.

The overall rate of sinus rhythm (SR) restoration within the first year after radiofrequency (RF) ablation was 70.2% (n = 85). When comparing patients who achieved SR with those who remained in atrial fibrillation (AF) postoperatively, the AF group exhibited significantly larger preoperative ascending aortic diameters, left atrial diameters, and interventricular septal thicknesses, along with lower ejection fractions on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) (p = <0.001, 0.015, 0.012, and 0.024, respectively).

Radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective method for maintaining long-term sinus rhythm, with no additional complications. It is associated with a low risk of morbidity and thromboembolic complications.