Surgical biatrial ablation of atrial fibrillation: initial results.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the results of intraoperative radiofrequency ablation with biatrial procedure in the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation in patients with associated cardiac disease. METHODS Between February 2008 and May 2009, 15 consecutive patients were underwent mitral valve procedure plus modified radiofrequency biatrial ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation. The mean age was 47.73 +/- 9.85 years and 60% were male. The mean left atrial diameter was 55.06 +/- 7.56 mm. RESULTS There were no hospital mortality or complications related to radiofrequency ablation. The mean follow-up period was 7 +/- 4 months. At the time of hospital discharge nine (60%) patients were in sinus rhythm. After a mean follow-up period 11 (73.3%) were in sinus rhythm. CONCLUSION Intraoperative biatrial radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation, with satisfactory midterms outcomes in terms of conversion to sinus rhythm.