ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness and safety of Mei mini maze procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF). MethodsWe analyzed the clinical data of 207 patients with 111 males, 96 females at 58.9±14.8 years in our hospital between October 2010 and February 2014. Among them, 98 patients were with paroxysmal AF and 109 patients were with persistent AF. The procedure was performed through three ports on left chest wall. Radiofrequency ablation procedures of AF included pulmonary veins isolation and ablations of the roof and posterior wall of left atrium, which were achieved by bipolar radiofrequency ablation. Ganglionic plexus ablation was made by the ablation pen. Left atrial appendage was excluded. ResultsTime of the procedures was 112.4±32.5 minutes. No conversion to sternotomy or pacemaker implantation occurred and no patients died. The hospital stay was 7.2±3.1days. The mean follow-up time was 24.2±8.9 months. A total of 187 (90.3%) patients were in sinus rhythm. And 20 patients could not maintain sinus rhythm. Stroke, thrombus in the left atrium and stenosis of pulmonary vein were not found after their procedures. ConclusionMei mini maze procedure is safe and presents optimistic outcomes for the atrial fibrillation.
ObjectiveTo investigate influence of left atrial contraction on lone atrial fibrillation recurrence after minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation. MethodsClinical data of 57 patients with lone atrial fibrillation underwent minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation in Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University from September 2010 to December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the absence of mitral A velocity, patients were divided into Group A (absence of mitral A velocity, 20 patients with their age of 56.32±17.18 years, including 5 females) and Group B (mitral A velocity exists, 37 patients with their age of 60.33±11.22 years, including 17 females). Minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation via thoracoscope were performed in all patients. Preoperative and postoperative left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and mitral A velocity, as well as clinical and follow-up data were recorded and compared. ResultsPreoperative clinical characters were not statistically different between two groups (P > 0.05). All the patients were followed up for 24.3±8.8 months (range, 12-26 months). Rate of postoperative atrial fibrillation recurrence in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (20.0% vs. 2.7%, P < 0.05). LAD and LVEF of 57 patients at 6 months after surgery were significantly higher than preoperative LAD and LVEF (P < 0.05), but there was no statistic difference between two groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionDamage of left atrial contraction was related to lone atrial fibrillation recurrence after minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation. Absence of mitral A velocity could be a crucial predictor of postoperative lone atrial fibrillation recurrence.