To the issue of normalizing the heart rhythm in patients with mitral valve disease complicated by atrial fibrillation

Aim. To examine an opportunity of sinus rhythm recovery in patients with mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation (AF) by the means of surgery and concomitant procedures. Methods. 180 patients with AF who underwent mitral valve surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass in 2007-2011 were examined. Patients’ mean age was 52.5±0.5 years, 71 (39.4%) were male, 109 (60.6%) - female. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 22 patients with paroxysmal AF were included in Group I. 109 patients with persistent AF who underwent mitral valve surgery only were allocated to the Group II. 49 patients with persistent AF who underwent additional pulmonary vein isolation (radiofrequency ablation) were included in the Group III. Results. 83 (46.1%) of patients had single mitral valve disease, 62 (34.4%) of patients had multiple valve disease with involvement of tricuspid valve, 21 (11.7%) of patients had multiple valve disease with involvement of aortic valve, 21 (11.7%) of patients had all abovementioned valves involved. Mean arrhythmia duration was 36.3±3.8 months. Sinus rhythm was restored during the surgery in 16 (72.7%) patients of the Group I, in 60 (55.0%) patients of the Group II, in 41 (83.7%) patients of the Group III. Sinus rhythm was still registered at the discharge in 14 (63.6%), 19 (17.4%) and 13 (26.5%) respectively. Conclusion. It is possible to recover and hold regular rhythm in early postoperative period in more than 60% of cases in patients who underwent surgery for mitral valve disease and concomitant paroxysmal AF. Simultaneous radiofrequency ablation performed in patients with persistent AF increases sinus rhythm recovery rate in first day after surgery.