Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation with Microwave / 대한흉부외과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation have been used to treat the atrial fibrillation. Some reports insisted that the microwave ablation is a better method for a deep and extensive lesion. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From December 2001 to July 2002, we performed 8 microwave ablations in patients who needed mitral valve surgery (7 MVR, 1 MVR+AVR). There were 3 men and 5 women, and their mean age was 43.4+/-8.3 years and mean follow up period was 5.6+/-2.4 months respectively. The microwave was applied on endocardium or epicardium by LynxR (Afx, inc.) using a power of 45 watts for 25 seconds. We studied the left atrial dimension, the left atrial function and the sinus conversion with echocardiography and electrocardiography at three times; 1) before the operation, 2) immediately after the operation, and 3) 6 months after the operation. RESULT: There was no complication and no mortality. The mean aortic clamping time was 104.6+/-25.0 minutes, and the mean total bypass time was 130.5+/-28.7 minutes. The rate of sinus conversion was 75%, A wave across the mitral valve was a mean of 77.0+/-24.8 cm/sec, and the A/E was a mean of 0.46+/-0.17 at 5.6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the early result of microwave ablation compared to other methods. The microwave ablation was an acceptable method due to its convenient application especially in beating heart.