5-YEAR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MAZE PROCEDURE FOR ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION

Between September 25, 1987, and December 31, 1992, 75 patients (53 men , 22 women; average age, 52 years) underwent the maze procedure for th e treatment of atrial fibrillation. Six patients had undergone a previ ous cardiac operation and 28% underwent concomitant cardiac procedures in addition to the maze procedure. One patient (1.3%) died 10 days af ter undergoing a combined maze procedure and Morrow procedure for the management of chronic atrial fibrillation and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Postoperative atrial pacemakers were required in 40%: 26% for preoperative sick sinus syndrome and 6% for iatrogenic injury of the sinus node, and 8% had pacemakers in place preoperatively. As of December 31, 1992, 65 patients had been followed up for at least 3 months after operation (range, 3 to 63 months). The maze procedure cur ed atrial fibrillation, restored atrioventricular synchrony, and prese rved atrial transport function in 64 of 65 patients (98%). The procedu re has been curative without the need for medications in 58 of 65 pati ents (89%) and with the need for medications in 6 of 65 (9%), with med ications failing in only 1 of the 65 patients (2%). The results suppor t the maze procedure as the treatment of choke in patients with medica lly refractory symptomatic atrial fibrillation.