Mid-term Follow-up after Maze IV Procedures for Concomitant Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND: We performed a retrospective analysis of the maze IV procedures performed in our surgical department for concomitant atrial fibrillation. METHODS: Preoperative, in-hospital and postoperative follow-up data were collected from 46 consecutive patients who underwent the maze IV operation between April 2006 and December 2010. All electrocardiograms and Holters were reviewed. RESULTS: One patient died in-hospital. During a mean follow-up of 25 +/- 16.3 months seven patients died: two related to a hemorrhagic stroke, one due to right ventricular failure, the remainder deaths were not cardiac related. The success rate, defined as no recurrence of AF or atrial flutter with a blanking period of 6 months postoperatively, was 73.7%. Plots of probability of freedom of atrial fibrillation over time are drawn and reach a stable level after one year. CONCLUSIONS: The mid term results of the maze IV procedures for concomitant atrial fibrillation are very good. The results are stable for the remainder of follow-up.