February 1, 1997
View Full PaperThe Surgical Management of Atrial Fibrillation
Structured PICO
Does the Maze procedure restore sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation refractory to pharmacologic rate control?
P
Population
Patients with atrial fibrillation for whom satisfactory rate control is not possible by pharmacologic means
I
Intervention
Surgical approach (Maze procedure)
O
Outcome
Restoration of sinus rhythm
The Maze procedure is a highly effective surgical option for restoring sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation refractory to medical therapy.
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation is the most common dysrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. For some patients, satisfactory rate control is not possible by pharmacologic means. This led us to develop a surgical approach to its cure, which in turn has led to a deeper understanding of the electrophysiologic basis of atrial fibrillation and to the development of a surgical procedure that is highly effective in restoring sinus rhythm with an acceptable mortality and morbidity. We review these findings as well as the clinical results obtained with the Maze procedure.