Due to the difficulty in producing a transmural linear lesion and the possibility of complications such as thrombus formation leading to thromboembolism, the catheter-based maze procedure remains problematic. We tested, in pigs, the possibility of using a temperature-controlled cooled-tip radiofrequency (RF) ablation system together with a realtime position management (RPM) system to create a t...

For cardiac surgery patients presenting with atrial fibrillation (AF), surgeons offer an operation that corrects the structural heart disease and the AF. With this approach, it is estimated that surgeons will perform more than 10,000 ablation procedures in 2007. Surgeons are developing minimally invasive techniques for stand-alone, epicardial ablation of AF. This article (1) reviews the rationa...

BACKGROUND The clinical benefit of concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation at the time of aortic valve replacement (AVR) is uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 124 patients with AF who underwent AVR with (n=50) or without (n=74) a concomitant maze procedure, between 2000 and 2011, were evaluated. There were no significant differences in early postoperative outcomes. During a media...

The Cox-Maze IV procedure has replaced the "cut-and-sew" technique of the original Cox-Maze operation with lines of ablation created using bipolar radiofrequency (RF) and cryothermal energy devices. In select patients, this procedure can be performed through a right mini-thoracotomy. This illustrated review is the first to detail the complete steps of the Cox-Maze IV procedure performed through...

BACKGROUND Among patients undergoing mitral-valve surgery, 30 to 50% present with atrial fibrillation, which is associated with reduced survival and increased risk of stroke. Surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation has been widely adopted, but evidence regarding its safety and effectiveness is limited. METHODS We randomly assigned 260 patients with persistent or long-standing persistent atri...

Appendages are important sources of sensory information for all animals that possess them but they are commonly damaged in nature. We describe how the tactile system of the crayfish Cherax destructor functioned when subjected to the kind of damage found in wild-caught or cultured animals. Touch information was methodically varied by the removal of antennae and chelae. The resulting behaviour wa...

Nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation continues to challenge electrophysiologist and surgeons alike. Stand-alone endocardial catheter ablation has resulted in less than satisfying results, while the on-pump Cox-Maze surgery excellent invasiveness limited its adoption amongst both referring providers surgeons. The CONVERGE IDE trial shed new light on this once dim problem. EPs Surgeons are now worki...

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia. It is associated with increased risks of death and stroke; most strokes in AF patients are thought to arise from thrombi in the left atrial appendage. Surgical ablation of AF includes excision of the left atrial appendage and is an effective means of treating this arrhythmia, with the classic Maze procedure curing AF in >90% of p...

Abstract Background The Cox maze procedures have been shown to be safe methods for restoring sinus rhythm (SR) in patient with atrial fibrillation and often performed concomitant mitral valve (MV) surgery. Cryothermy (Cryo) Radiofrequency (RF) are available techniques achieve linear scars. differences between the effect of these energy sources on late left (LA) reverse remodeling not fully desc...