[Biatrial vs. isolated left atrial cryoablation for the treatment of long-lasting permanent atrial fibrillation. Midterm recurrence rate].

Unlabelled: The long-term results of cryomaze in patients with longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation during concomitant surgical procedures are still uncertain.

Methods: Between 2006 and 2011, 150 consecutive patients with associated long-lasting permanent atrial fibrillation and associated heart disease underwent heart surgery were treated by biatrial Cox-Maze (63 patients) or by isolated endocardial or epicardial left atrial cryoablation (83 patients) concomitantly. The results at 3 years in these groups were compared with clinical monitoring, electrocardiography, 24-hour Holter, and echocardiography with measurement of the transmitral A wave at 1, 6 and 12 months and annually thereafter in all patients.

Efficacy of Oral Anticoagulation in Stroke Prevention among Sinus-Rhythm Patients Who Lack Left Atrial Mechanical Contraction after Cryoablation.

The customary recommendation is that oral anticoagulation be withdrawn a few months after cryoablation for atrial fibrillation, independently of left atrial mechanical contraction in patients in sinus rhythm. Recently, a 5-fold increase in stroke has been described in sinus-rhythm patients who lack atrial mechanical contraction. One aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral anticoagulation in preventing postoperative stroke in such patients.

Mitral stenosis after IMR ETlogix ring annuloplasty for ischemic regurgitation.

Objectives: Ring annuloplasty combined with coronary artery bypass grafting is the standard approach for treatment of patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation. We evaluated mitral valve hemodynamic performance and recurrence of mitral regurgitation after ring annuloplasty.

Patients And Methods: 40 consecutive patients (mean age, 70±8 years) with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation grade ≥2+ received annuloplasty with an IMR ETlogix ring.