Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is common after cardiac operations, and effective intraoperative techniques aimed at reducing POAF focus on limiting left atrial triggers through posterior pericardiotomy or pulmonary vein isolation. Prophylactic left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is increasingly used in hopes of preventing POAF-associated strokes. We sought to compare the incidence of POAF in patients undergoing prophylactic LAAO with or without a prophylactic non-atriotomy surgical ablation (NASA).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with depressed ejection fraction (EF) is complex. AF-related tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy (TMC) can lead to worsening EF and clinical heart failure. We sought to determine whether a hybrid team ablation approach (HA) can be performed safely and restore normal sinus rhythm in patients with TMC and heart failure and to delineate the effect on heart failure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Benefits of concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) surgical treatment are well established. Cardiac societies support treating AF during cardiac surgery with a class I recommendation. Despite these guidelines, adoption has been inconsistent.
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