Lin Chen, Yingbin Xiao, Ruiyan Ma, Baicheng Chen, Jia Hao, Chuan Qin, Wei Cheng, Renguo Wen
BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhymia, and it results in increased risk of thromboembolism and decreased cardiac function. In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, concomitant radiofrequency ablation to treat AF is effective in restoring sinus rhythm (SR). This study is an observational cohort study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of bipolar radiofrequency ablation (BRFA) for treating AF combined with heart valve diseases. METHODS: Clinical data were analyzed retrospectively from 324 cases of rheumatic heart disease combined with persistent AF patients who underwent valve replacement concomitant BRFA...
May 22, 2014: BMC Surgery