Comparison of cardiac function early after cardiac valve replacement with and without atrial fibrillation radiofrequency ablation / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

objective To compare cardiac function early after cardiac valve replacement with and without atrial fibrillation radiofrequency ablation(RFA).Methods Thirty-eight patients who underwent RFA Cox-Maze Ⅳ procedure combined with rheumatic valve replacement were discharged as cured from March 2007 to August 2009 (RFA group). Their postoperative recovery time, troponin T (cTnT) and ultrasonic cardiogram data were compared with those of 38 patients with atrial fibrillation matchad for age,sex, preoperative NYHA class and types of rheumatic valve replacement (control group). Results Although the cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time of RFA group were longer [( 152.8 ± 46.1 ),(91.0 ± 26.1 ) min] than those of control group [( 104.7 ± 40.8), (68.0 ± 30.3) min] (P ＜ 0.01 ), the postoperative recovery time and perioperative changes of LVEF of both groups were similar. Compared with control group, the RFA group's postoperative elevated cTnT was more marked [( 1.8 ± 0.6) μ g/L vs.(0.8 ±0.4) μg/L],their left atrial diameters was generally decreased (P＜0.05). Among them who underwent combined aortic and mitral valve replacement had increased posterior wall thickness of left ventricle and decreased fractional shortening. Conclusions Compared to patients having simple valve replacement, those undergoing valve replacement with RFA Cox-Maze Ⅳ procedure have generally better recovery of cardiac function early after operation, may have more potential threaten, and more attention should be paied to their perioperative myocardial preservation and preventive maintenance of cardiac function.