Subxiphoid Minimally Invasive Epicardial Ablation (Convergent Procedure) with Left Thoracoscopic Closure of the Left Atrial Appendage

Invasive interventions for atrial fibrillation have advanced considerably since the advent of the first Cox-Maze operation.1,2 The development of catheter based endocardial ablation represented a significant shift in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Advances in ablation technology energy sources and techniques have improved both surgical and catheter treatment outcomes. Minimally invasive surgical approaches have also incrementally decreased the morbidity associated with such procedures.3 Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is usually well controlled with pulmonary vein isolation, and catheter based ablation alone is often quite effective for patients with this variant of atrial fibrillation.
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tags: Adult Source Type: research