A Modified Atrial Volume Reduction Technique for a Giant Left Atrium.

We describe a modified volume reduction technique for a giant left atrium that consists of circumferential resection of a strip of left atrial wall with the appendage, plicated pericardium replacing the posterior atrial wall, and anastomoses of the remaining right side free wall to the interatrial septum instead of the interatrial groove. Our initial application showed that this technique can safely reduce a giant left atrium to the desired volume and obtain a high rate of sinus rhythm restoration after a maze operation.