Comparative study between cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation for surgical intervention of atrial fibrillation associated with mitral valve disease

OBJECTIVES: Recently, bipolar radiofrequency (RF) ablation has been introduced as a potential option to replace many of the Cox-maze incisions. We compared the surgical outcomes of maze procedures in patients who had undergone cryoablation and RF ablation and mitral valve surgery. METHODS: From January 2004 to August 2009, a total of 40 patients underwent the maze procedure and concomitant mitral operation as a 1st operation. Of these, the cryoablation maze procedure (n = 20) and RF ablation procedure (n = 20) were performed in the patients with similar background, although more patients in the RF group had undergone mitral valve repair (n = 15) compared to the cryoablation group (n = 8) [p = 0.025]. RESULTS: The peri-operative data, such as operative duration, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, postoperative ventilation time, and the duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay did not show any significant difference between cryoablation group and RF group. Both ablation procedures were similarly effective in restoring sinus rhythm at the early post-operative period (cryoablation: 80%, RF: 70%). Nine patients in the cryoablation group and 13 patients in the RF ablation group required anti-arrhythmic medication. CONCLUSIONS: The RF ablation technique is simpler and equally effective in controlling atrial fibrillation compared to the cryoablation for the maze procedure of concomitant mitral valve surgery.