Long-term results Maze procedure in patients with valve pathology and atrial fibrillation

Surgical treatment if atrial fibrillation (AF) as a concomitant procedure during heart valve operations is one of the topical issues in cardiac surgery. We analyzed the long-term results of AF treatment with cut and sew technique in 51 patients underwent heart valve surgery in 2004-2007. Cut and sew technique was shown to be highly effective, allowing sinus rhythm restoration in 93.9% of patients, and securing 5 year freedom from reoperation in 79.1%. We also can assert that patients with cut and sew correction of AF produced significant quality of life improvement (all scales of SF-36) and reduction of NYHA functional class. Multivariate analysis showed that left atrium dilatation and AF duration more than 5 years were main predictors of AF recurrence. Sinus rhythm restoration in patients with mechanical heart valves allows 91.9% five year freedom from cerebral embolic complications, even if anticoagulation regimen was not optimal.