ISSN : 1301-5680
e-ISSN : 2149-8156
Turkish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery     
Left atrial reduction by posterior wall plication combined with mitral valve surgery in patients with a dilated left atrium
Gökhan Özerdem1, Barış Uymaz1, Ersin Sarıçam2, Başar Candemir3, Neyyir Tuncay Eren4
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Private Çağ Hospital, Ankara
2Department of Cardiology, Private Çağ Hospital, Ankara
3Department of Cardiology, Medical Faculy of Ankara University, Ankara
4Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical Faculy of Ankara University, Ankara
DOI : 10.5606/tgkdc.dergisi.2011.038
Background: We aimed to reduce atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic events by reducing left atrial dilatation via posterior plication technique.

Methods: Between May 2003 and January 2009, 38 patients (17 males, 21 females; mean age 53.7±9.9 years; range 44 to 76 years) underwent mitral valve surgery with left atrial reduction by posterior wall plication. Neither bipolar nor unipolar catheter ablation therapy for chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) was performed in this study. We also did not include patients in this study who had undergone radiofrequency ablation therapy for chronic AF.

Results: At discharge, 15 patients (39%) were in sinus rhythm. During follow-up, sinus rhythm was restored in 14 patients (37%). Left atrium diameter was significantly reduced from 7.0±1.4 cm preoperatively to 4.6±0.5 cm at six months after surgery.

Conclusion: In conclusion, left atrial size reduction is simple, takes less time, and is also effective in maintaining sinus rhythm without adding any additional mortality or morbidity compared to mitral valve surgery alone.

Keywords : Heart valve diseases; left atrial reduction process; mitral valve
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