Comparative efficacy and safety of biatrial versus left atrial ablation in the surgical treatment of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation with concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with ischemic heart disease

Purpose. To compare the results of biatrial (BA) and left atrial ablation (LAA) performed in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) with concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) with indication for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).Material and Methods. A prospective, randomized, single-center, blinded study was conducted on the basis Meshalkin National Medical Research Center in the period from 2016 to 2019. A total of 116 patients with long-standing persistent AF and CAD were randomized into two groups: BA + CABG group (n = 58) and LAA + CABG group (n = 58). Patients of both groups underwent CABG surgery with the chosen atrial ablation technique (LAA or BA).Results: BA technique proved to be more effective in maintaining sinus rhythm (58%) compared with isolated LAA (31%) at 24 months (p = 0.019) after surgical treatment of long-standing persistent AF with concomitant CABG.Conclusion: BA technique was more effective than isolated LAA in the late postoperative period of 24 months.