Long-Term Results of the Mini Maze Standalone Bi-Atrial Surgical Ablation: A 10-Year Follow-Up.

Background

One way to treat atrial fibrillation is through surgical ablation. However, the literature only provides information on patient follow-up results for up to 5 years.

Methods

In order to assess long-term monitoring data over ten years, this retrospective study included 58 patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation who underwent Mini Maze surgical ablation at Santaros Clinics between 1 February 2009 and 1 June 2014. The follow-up time after surgery was 144 ± 48 months. We evaluated the absence of atrial fibrillation, echocardiographic and clinical parameters, and EHRA score.

Results

Sinus rhythm remained in 69.4%, 75.5%, 55.6%, and 44.1% of patients with paroxysmal AF, and 68,2%, 59.1%, 50%, and 41.9% of patients with persistent AF (p = 0.681). In the post-operative period, one patient (1.7%) had a transient ischemic attack, and another patient (1.7%) had a thoracotomy for post-operative bleeding. A total of 20% of patients were diagnosed with a post-operative respiratory tract infection. EHRA scores showed that patients' quality of life improved after they underwent Mini Maze surgical ablation.

Conclusions

Despite AF recurrences after surgery, quality of life remains better than before surgery, showing that Mini Maze surgery is an effective and safe second-line treatment method for atrial fibrillation.