The efficacy of the Cox/maze procedure combined with mitral valve surgery:a matched control study

Objective: To evaluate the results of the maze procedure combined with mitr al valve (MV) surgery in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). Me thods: From 1994-1999, 47 patients with chronic AF underwent the maze proce dure combined with MV surgery; (maze group). They were compared to 47 patie nts matched for age, ses, left ventricular function and type of MV surgery (non-maze group). The maze group had less severe symptoms but larger ief at rium, and AF of longer duration than the non-maze group. One surgeon perfor med all operations in both groups of patients. Results: There were two earl y deaths in the maze group (4.5%) and one (2.2%) in the non-maze group. The duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (P = 0.0001) and aortic crossclamping ( P = 0.0001) were greater in the maze group. Mean fellow-up was 26 +/- 3 mon ths in the maze group and 32 +/- 4 months in the non-maze group, and was 10 0% complete. Three-year survival was 96 +/- 3% for the maze group compared to 85 +/- 7% for the non-mnze group (P = 0.161. At the latest follow-up, 75 % of the maze patients were in sinus rhythm compared to 36% of the non-maze patients (P = (1.000:), 38% of the maze group were on coumadin postoperati vely, compared to 69% in the non-maze group (P = 0.003); and patients in th e maze group were on fewer antiarrhythmic medications P = 0.0002). Three-ye ar freedom from thromboembolic complications was 100% for the maze group co mpared to 83 +/- 7% for the non-maze group (P = 0.03). Conclusions: In this retrospective study the maze procedure did not seem to increase operative mortality of MV surgery, was effective ill eliminating atrial fibrillation. and reduced the risk of thromboembolic complications and the need for long -term anticoagulation after mitral valve repair or replacement with a biopr osthesis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.