Intermediate-term outcomes of surgical atrial fibrillation correction with the CryoMaze procedure.

Background: Few studies have reported long-term outcomes of surgical atrial fibrillation (AF) correction. We perform the Cox-Maze III lesion set with argon-powered cryoenergy (CryoMaze procedure) on all patients with AF presenting for cardiac operations. This study reports long-term clinical results and heart rhythm status.

Aortic valve bypass surgery: midterm clinical outcomes in a high-risk aortic stenosis population.

Background: Aortic valve bypass (AVB; apicoaortic conduit) surgery relieves aortic stenosis (AS) by shunting blood from the apex of the left ventricle to the descending thoracic aorta through a valved conduit. We have performed AVB surgery as an alternative to conventional aortic valve replacement for high-risk AS patients.

Methods And Results: Between 2003 and 2007, 31 high-risk AS patients were treated with AVB surgery.