Microwave ablation of permanent atrial fibrillation during isolated bypass grafting and isolated mitral valve surgery.

Background: This study was designed to compare the rate of restoration to sinus rhythm in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (pAF) undergoing endocardial microwave ablation during isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or isolated mitral valve surgery.

Methods: A total of 42 patients who underwent isolated CABG (age, 70.1 +/- 5.8 years) and 68 patients (age, 64.4 +/- 8.7 years) who underwent isolated mitral valve surgery were included in the registry. During the operation, all patients received endocardial microwave ablation. Follow-up examinations were performed 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after discharge.

Results: A 1-year follow up was obtained for all patients. In the CABG and the mitral valve surgery groups, sinus rhythm, as determined by a 24-h Holter electrocardiograph, was observed in 72% and 63% of the patients, respectively.

Conclusions: The difference in sinus rhythm restoration in the CABG and mitral valve surgery groups did not reach statistical significance. Microwave ablation in combination with CABG or mitral valve surgery can be performed with comparable and acceptable success rates.