OBJECTIVE: The "Cox-Maze III" operation is very effective in the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation, but many surgeons do not use this technique because of its high complexity. In order to simplify the procedure, new alternatives that involve the use of different energy sources, such as radiofrequency, to create transmural lesions that substitute the atrial incisions of the Cox technique have been developed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of intraoperative radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation in patients with associated cardiac diseases. METHOD: Between February 2002 and March 2003, 35 consecutive patients with chronic atrial fibrillation were submitted to intraoperative radiofrequency ablation, associated with other surgical procedures. The ages of the patients ranged from 16 to 69 years old (mean 55.4 years old); there were 23 (65.7%) female patients. RESULTS: Radiofrequency ablation was associated with surgical treatment of the mitral valve in 29 (82.9%) patients and with treatment of atrial septal defect in six (17.1%). There was 1 (2.8%) in-hospital death; at the time of hospital discharge 26 patients (76.4%) were in sinus rhythm. After a mean follow-up of 11.7 ± 2.8 months, the overall survival rate was 94.2 % and 24 (72.7%) patients were in sinus rhythm. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation, with satisfactory midterm results in terms of conversion to sinus rhythm.
Catheter ablation; Catheter ablation, radiofrequency; Atrial fibrillation; Intraoperative ablation
