Efficiency of Radiofrequency Ablation for Surgical Treatment of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation With Rheumatic Valve Disease

The purpose of this study is to determine whether concomitant radiofrequency Maze procedure for surgical treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation with rheumatic valve disease could provide better sinus rhythm control, improved cardiac hemodynamic status and decreased thromboembolism events and to compare if biatrial is better than left atrial procedure? 150 rheumatic valve patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) having concomitant valve surgery were randomized to three groups: left atrial ablation group, bi-atrial ablation group, and Amiodarone group. All patients were scheduled followed up before discharge and at 3rd, 6th and 12th postoperative months. Standard 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG), 24-hour Holter and transthoracic echocardiography were used to determine the rhythm and cardiac hemodynamic status.