Minimally invasive surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation: six-month results.

Background: A minimally invasive surgery for treatment of atrial fibrillation was developed with bilateral pulmonary vein isolation, mapping, and ablation of the ganglionic plexi and excision of the left atrial appendage. A prospective multicenter registry was created to evaluate the outcomes.

Methods: The procedure was performed through bilateral minithoracotomies with video assistance.

Preliminary results of a limited thoracotomy: new approach to treat atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To determine efficacy of a new procedure combining epicardial bipolar radiofrequency (RF) pulmonary vein (PV) antrum isolation and ganglionated plexus (GP) ablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: PV antrum electrical isolation and GP ablation have each been associated with elimination of AF. Both of these can be performed epicardially in a single combined surgical procedure, which may have advantages over endocardial ablation.