Benefits of prophylactic continuous infusion of furosemide after the maze procedure for atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: One of the most significant complications seen after the maze procedure for atrial fibrillation is excessive fluid retention, with subsequent pulmonary complications. To address this problem we recently started treating all patients prophylactically with a continuous infusion of furosemide starting immediately after the operation.

Methods: Seventy-five consecutive patients with statistically similar demographic characteristics were divided into two groups.