Surgery for atrial fibrillation using radiofrequency catheter ablation: assessment of results at one year

Objective: The results obtained in 43 patients using direct intraoperative radiofrequency catheter ablation, as an alternative to surgical incisions, to perform atrial fibrillation surgery, are presented. Methods: Forty-three patients with ages ranging from 43 to 74 years ((x) over bar = 59), with c hronic atrial fibrillation with an average duration 6 +/- 5 years were oper ated. Eleven patients suffered from clinically relevant tachyarrythmia and eight had previous thromboembolic events. All but one patient had concomita nt mitral valve surgery. Direct intraoperative radiofrequency catheter abla tion was used to perform endocardial bilateral isolation of the pulmonary v eins from the left atrium. Results: There were no local or general complica tions, namely bleeding or thromboembolic events. Of the 33 patients with mo re than 3 months of follow-up, 36% remained in atrial fibrillation (Santa C ruz score 0); 30% had Score 4; 18% had Score 3; 6% had Score 2; 9% had Scor e 1. Conclusions: We conclude that the use of intraoperative radiofrequency catheter ablation is fast and safe. Presently, this is our method of choic e for surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation in mitral patients. (C) 199 9 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.