NSU-MD Faculty Articles

Title

Epicardial ultrasonic ablation of atrial fibrillation during concomitant cardiac surgery is a valid option in patients with ischemic heart disease.

ISBN or ISSN

0009-7322

Publication Title

Circulation

Volume

118

Issue

14 Suppl

Publication Date / Copyright Date

9-30-2008

First Page

S78

Last Page

S82

Publisher

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

DOI Number

10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.750927

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Surgical therapy of atrial fibrillation concomitant to coronary bypass grafting using epicardial Ultrasound technology was assessed after a minimum 6-month follow-up.

METHODS AND RESULTS: A cohort of 98 consecutive patients with a mean age of 72+/-7.58 years and a primary diagnosis of ischemic heart disease had surgery for structural disease. Coronary artery bypass grafting was isolated (n=51) or associated (n=47) with various combinations of aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and left ventricular restoration surgery. Atrial fibrillation duration ranged from 6 to 360 months (mean 71 months) and was permanent in 47 patients, paroxysmal in 34, and persistent in 17. Left atrial mean diameter was 48+/-6.71 mm. A circumferential ablation was performed off-pump, before the concomitant procedure, and was always associated with an epicardial mitral line lesion using the same technology. At 3-, 6-, and 12-month visits, patients were routinely evaluated by physical examination, ECG, chest X-ray, and 24-hour Holter. There were 1 early death (1%) and 4 extracardiac late deaths. A pacemaker was implanted in 4 patients. Mean follow-up time was 325 days, 2 patients being lost to follow-up. Freedom from atrial fibrillation and flutter at the 6-month visit was 84% for the entire population, 76% in patients with permanent, and 91% in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. At the 1-year visit, 85% were free from atrial fibrillation or flutter.

CONCLUSIONS: Epicardial beating heart ablation using therapeutic ultrasound is safe, reliable, and can easily treat atrial fibrillation in a difficult surgical population of patients with primary ischemic heart disease.

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Keywords

Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Atrial Fibrillation, Cardiac Surgical Procedures, Cohort Studies, Coronary Artery Bypass, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Heart Valves, Humans, Intraoperative Complications, Male, Myocardial Ischemia, Pericardium, Postoperative Complications, Treatment Outcome, Ultrasonography, Interventional

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