Quality of Life after Surgical Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Evaluation.

Aim: To compare the quality of life (QoL) of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and ischaemic heart disease after modified mini-maze (MM) procedure or pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with patients in the control group (coronary artery bypass graft [CABG]) alone.

Methods: In this prospective randomised study, we included 95 patients with persistent AF and coronary heart disease who underwent open-heart surgery combined with intraoperative irrigated RFA (irrRFA). Patients were randomly assigned to three groups: CABG and PVI using irrRA (CABG+PVI, n=31), CABG and MM procedure using irrRA (CABG+MM, n=30), and isolated CABG (CABG alone, n=34).

Comparative results of endoscopic and open methods of vein harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting: a prospective randomized parallel-group trial.

Background: We compared wound complications between endoscopic and open great saphenous vein harvesting for coronary artery bypass surgery.

Methods: A total of 228 consecutive patients were prospectively randomized into two groups: open vein harvesting (OVH), 115 patients; and endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH), 113 patients. Each group was assessed for post-operative wound complications, pain intensity, and neuropathy in the early post-surgical period.

Assessment of results of surgical treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation during coronary artery bypass grafting using implantable loop recorders.

Objectives: We report our experience with a modified mini-maze procedure and pulmonary vein isolation using radiofrequency energy for treating persistent atrial fibrillation during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: Ninety-five patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease underwent open heart surgery combined with intraoperative irrigated radiofrequency ablation. Patients were randomized into the following three groups: CABG and irrigated radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation (CABG+PVI, n = 31); CABG and an irrigated radiofrequency modified mini-maze procedure (CABG+MM, n = 30); and isolated CABG (CABG alone, n = 34).

Ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during coronary artery bypass grafting: 12 months' follow-up through implantable loop recorder.

Objectives: The study aimed to identify responders to atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, through continuous subcutaneous monitoring in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), who underwent epicardial pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) concomitantly with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: Seventy-two patients aged 61.6±4.