[Radiofrequency modified maze operation for chronic atrial fibrillation with ASD; report of a case].

A 61-year-old man with congestive heart failure was referred to our hospital and diagnosed as atrial septal defect (ASD) [Qp/Qs = 1.6] with chronic atrial fibrillation. Occurrence of atrial fibrillation was supposed to be the cause of heart failure rather than L-R shunt of ASD. The patient was successfully operated on with the use of routine cardiopulmonary bypass. Radiofrequency modified maze procedure was done, and then small ASD (1 cm of diameter) was closed with patch. Postoperative transthoracic Doppler echocardiography confirmed clear A wave for transmitral and transtricuspid flow. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged in stable sinus rhythm and has been drug free since then.