Does sinus rhythm conversion after cardiac surgery affect postoperative health- related quality of life?

Background: We investigated the impact and the predictive value of sinus rhythm at 12 months (SR12) on subscales of three different HrQoL questionnaires: SF-36., EuroQoL and MFI 20.

Methods: Data of 125 cardiac surgery patients with pre-operative AF from our previous randomized trial were used.

Surgical ablation in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery: impact of lesion set and surgical techniques on long-term success.

Aims: To assess the results and impact of lesion set and surgical technique on long-term success of surgical ablation during mitral surgery.

Methods And Results: The patient population consisted of 685 subjects with persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing cardiac surgery for mitral valve disease as the primary indication and concomitant ablation between January 2003 and January 2012 at three institutions. One hundred and sixty-six underwent unipolar (24.

Maintenance of sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion for recurrent atrial fibrillation following mitral valve surgery with or without associated radiofrequency ablation.

Background: This study reports the outcomes of patients who underwent electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation recurrence following mitral valve surgery and associated radiofrequency ablation compared to those who did not undergo concomitant atrial fibrillation ablation.

Methods: The population consisted of 116 patients with persistent/long-standing persistent AF who underwent mitral valve surgery with (Group A, n=54) or without (Group B, n=62) associated radiofrequency ablation between January 2007 and January 2011 at three institutions and who subsequently underwent cardioversion for persistent atrial fibrillation within 12 months of their initial procedure.

Results: The mean follow-up duration was 30.

Guideline adherence in antithrombotic treatment after concomitant ablation surgery in atrial fibrillation patients.

Objectives: We investigated real-life oral anticoagulation (OAC) treatment after surgical ablation and examined its adherence to current recommendations. We also explored factors related to OAC use preoperatively and at follow-up.

Methods: One hundred and fifteen patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were evaluated during 12-month follow-up after surgery.

Hybrid thoracoscopic and transvenous catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

The hybrid approach combines an epicardial ablation with a percutaneous endocardial ablation in a single-step or sequential procedure. This study provides an overview of the hybrid procedure for the treatment of stand-alone atrial fibrillation (AF). Papers selected for this review were identified on PubMed and the final selection included nine studies.