Atrial Ablation and Surgery

Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation

This well established and extremely effective operation for atrial fibrillation has now been simplified by the use of radiofrequency ablation. This modification of the operation now makes it applicable to many patients having heart operations for other problems who also have atrial fibrillation. In up to 70% of patients, the heart rhythm (the way it beats) can be returned to normal.  In addition, this may decrease the number of medications the patient requires, and in many cases will eliminate the long term need for the blood thinner coumadin.

When a heart develops the abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat erratically, often causing the patient a sensation of palpitations or of a racing heart. This condition also may lead to the formation of clots within the atrial chambers which could lead to stroke. Because of this risk of stroke, patients with atrial fibrillation will often be required to be on coumadin (a blood thinner) for life. When successful, the maze procedure decreases or eliminates these problems.

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