Preliminary results of a limited thoracotomy: new approach to treat atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To determine efficacy of a new procedure combining epicardial bipolar radiofrequency (RF) pulmonary vein (PV) antrum isolation and ganglionated plexus (GP) ablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: PV antrum electrical isolation and GP ablation have each been associated with elimination of AF. Both of these can be performed epicardially in a single combined surgical procedure, which may have advantages over endocardial ablation.