Background: The aim of this study was to asses the results of concomitant radiofrequency modified maze (RFMM) procedure in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

Methods: Patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing open heart surgery (OHS) were randomly assigned either in group 1 (OHS + RFMM) or group 2 (only OHS). There were 34 patients (12 males, 22 females; mean age 60.82±10.04 years; range 41-77) in group 1 and 36 patients (19 males, 17 females; mean age 55.39±10.98 years; range 32-75) in group 2. The mean period for follow up was 23.41±6.34 months in group 1 and 15.11±6.40 months in group 2. All patients underwent a 24 hours holter monitorization and transthoracic echocardiography in their follow-up evaluations.

Results: Aside from patient age, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic properities, duration of AF, left atrial diameter (LAD) or functional capacity. In Group 1 76.5%, and in group 2 27.8% of patients were free of AF (p<0.05). Postoperative medication for rate control and feeling of palpitation were more common in group 2 (p<0.05). There were 4 thromboembolic events (11.1%) (3 minor, 1 major) and 2 late mortalities (5.6%) in group 2; there were no thromboembolic events and late mortality in group 1 (p>0.05). Preoperative LAD was effective on sinus rhythm restoration in group 1, while this was not the case in group 2. Independent factors for sinus rhythm restoration were identified as age and RFMM.

Conclusions: We conclude that owing to its positive results and ease of application, the RFMM procedure can be beneficial in combined procedures.

Keywords : Atrial fibrillation/surgery; catheter ablation/ methods