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.

Topical use of antifibrinolytic agent to reduce postoperative bleeding after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective: Antifibrinolytic agents reduce bleeding after cardiac surgery, but there are adverse effects after their systemic use. These effects are avoided by topical application of antifibrinolytic agents in pericardial cavity. We compared the effects of topically applied epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and placebo on postoperative bleeding and transfusion requirements after coronary artery bypass surgery.