Display Settings:

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination
We are sorry, but NCBI web applications do not support your browser and may not function properly. More information
    J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1991 Apr;101(4):569-83.

    The surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. III. Development of a definitive surgical procedure.

    Source

    Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Mo 63110.

    Abstract

    On the basis of the known electrophysiologic mechanisms of atrial fibrillation, multiple surgical procedures were designed and tested in dogs to determine the feasibility of developing a surgical cure for human atrial fibrillation. These experimental studies culminated in a surgical approach that effectively creates an electrical maze in the atrium. The atrial incisions prevent atrial reentry and allow sinus impulses to activate the entire atrial myocardium, thereby preserving atrial transport function postoperatively. Since September 1987, this surgical procedure has been applied in seven patients, five with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation of 2 to 9 years' duration and two with chronic atrial fibrillation of 3 and 10 years' duration. All seven patients have been cured of atrial fibrillation and none is receiving any postoperative antiarrhythmic medications.

    Comment in

    • Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. [J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1992]
    PMID:
    2008095
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

      Supplemental Content

      Save items

      Recent activity

      Your browsing activity is empty.

      Activity recording is turned off.

      Turn recording back on

      See more...
      Write to the Help Desk