Radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation during mitral valve surgery.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation is the most common form of arrhythmia in mitral valve disease. Radiofrequency ablation is most commonly used for atrial fibrillation ablation during mitral valve surgery.

Methods: This prospective study evaluated the midterm outcomes of intraoperative radiofrequency atrial fibrillation ablation during mitral valve surgery.

Results: 52 patients were eligible for the study. Fifteen (28.8%) had a transseptal approach and 37 had a left atriotomy. Mitral valve replacement was performed in 16 patients, mitral valve repair in 31, and tricuspid repair in 8. Mean crossclamp time was 58.14.± 20.08 min, and mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 71.28 ± 20.31 min. The mean ablation time was 6.41 ± 0.21 min. There was no postoperative mortality. Sinus rhythm was documented in 44 (84.6%) patients on discharge, and 8 (15.4%) were discharged with atrial fibrillation; 2 of them returned to sinus rhythm after 3 months. After 12 months of follow-up, 46 (88.5%) patients were in sinus rhythm.

Conclusions: Left atrial monopolar radiofrequency ablation during mitral valve surgery is a safe procedure with a high success rate.