The "maze" procedure for surgical treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) described by Cox was performed in 9 patients from July 91 to May 92; 7 were female and the ages range from 37 to 63y (51,4y). Eight patients had surgical rheumatic valve disfunction (mitral stenosis in 6; mitral double disfunction in 2 being 1 with associated tricuspid regurgitation) and 1 had recurrent paroxicistic AF with no valve disfunction. Surgical treatment was performed following the technique described by Cox and the surgery was completed with 6 mitral comissurotomies and 2 mitral valve replacements. Three patients had left atrial thrombosis. There were no immediate deaths and 1 patient died in the 45th day with infeccious complications. The first patient required reoperation for bleeding review. Second and 3rd patients presented transitory atrial tachycardia in 3rd and 5th day, controlled with intravenous amiodarone. No other complications were observed. In a mean follow up period of 5,4m (1 to 10 m), all patients were in regular atrial rhythm without antiarrhythmic drugs. Effective atrial contraction was demonstrated by ECHO in all patients and no one returned to AF. In conclusion, this initial follow up showed good results in rheumatic AF and more clinical observation is necessary to a definitive evaluation.
atrial fibrilation; "maze" procedure