Sinus node function after cardiac surgery: is impairment specific for the maze procedure?

Background: Maze surgery is a final solution for intractable atrial fibrillation (AF), but an adverse effect on postoperative sinus node function has been reported. Whether this also applies to other types of cardiac surgery is unclear.

Methods: We assessed postoperative rhythm by means of repeated exercise tolerance testing, ambulatory electrocardiography, and non-invasive testing of autonomic function between 1 and 12 months after four types of cardiac surgery.