Ablation of left atrial flutter in a patient surgically treated for atrial fibrillation. Does it indicate a possible hybrid approach?

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) has a high success rate and nowadays simpler and faster procedures have been proposed. The following is a description of the case of a patient who, after a modified Maze procedure, developed an atypical left atrial flutter and underwent a successful radiofrequency ablation procedure. A 71-year-old male underwent surgical biological valve replacement and a concomitant modified Maze procedure. After surgery the patient developed a persistent atrial arrhythmia with severe symptoms and refractory to any drug. For this reason, an electrophysiological study was planned. We performed a three-dimensional atrial mapping using the real-time position management system (Boston Scientific). Right atrial mapping indicated an early activation area on the septum. After transseptal puncture, left atrial mapping showed a reentry circuit around the mitral annulus with positive entrainment. A linear lesion was made between the mitral annulus and the superior right pulmonary vein and sinus rhythm was restored. After 7 months of follow-up the patient is asymptomatic and still in stable sinus rhythm. In conclusion, the follow-up of surgical AF may be improved by close collaboration between the surgeon and electrophysiologist. The available data suggest that a combined surgical and percutaneous approach could be the strategy of choice.