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Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:1219-1225. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.04.081
© 2008 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
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Original Articles: Adult Cardiac

Minimally Invasive Surgical Pulmonary Vein Isolation Alone for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Preliminary Results of Epicardial Atrial Electrogram Analysis

Hui Li, MD, Yan Li, MD, Lingbo Sun, MD, PhD, Xinpeng Liu, MD, Chunlei Xu, MD, Jie Han, MD, Xu Meng, MD*

Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, Peoples Republic of China

Accepted for publication April 23, 2008.

* Address correspondence to Dr Meng, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100029, Peoples Republic of China (Email: mxu{at}263.net).

Background: Minimally invasive surgical pulmonary vein isolation has become an alterative therapy for lone atrial fibrillation. This study evaluated the effect of the procedure on persistent atrial fibrillation by epicardial atrial electrography.

Methods: Five consecutive patients with lone persistent atrial fibrillation were enrolled. Intraoperative electrophysiology tests were performed before and after minimally invasive surgical pulmonary vein isolation. Morphology of the recordings and atrial fibrillation cycle length were analyzed.

Results: Sixty sites were recorded in 5 patients. Three types of bipolar electrogram were recorded at these sites. After ablation, all electrograms changed into type I in pulmonary veins and proximal antra, and remained unchanged in all proximal left atria. Atrial fibrillation cycle length at the proximal left atrium was shorter than that at the pulmonary veins. Atrial fibrillation cycle length recorded at proximal left atrium sites correlated with atrial diameter. The atrial fibrillation cycle length of the left atrium increased from 143 ± 11 to 170 ± 12 ms after pulmonary vein isolation. All 5 patients had atrial fibrillation immediately after the procedure and were treated with direct-current cardioversion and received amiodarone postoperatively. Freedom from atrial fibrillation was 100% at discharge and 60% at 6 months' follow-up.

Conclusions: Ectopic foci outside the pulmonary veins play an important role in persistent atrial fibrillation. Minimally invasive surgical pulmonary vein isolation might not be sufficient for persistent atrial fibrillation termination. The pulmonary vein isolation procedure, however, slows atrial fibrillation and makes supplemental pharmacologic cardioversion effective.


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Invited Commentary
Takashi Nitta
Ann. Thorac. Surg. 2008 86: 1225-1226. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]



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T. Nitta
Invited Commentary
Ann. Thorac. Surg., October 1, 2008; 86(4): 1225 - 1226.
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