Hybrid Totally Thoracoscopic Maze and Catheter Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Initial Experience

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is now a pandemic in our ageing community. Although James L. Cox devised a surgical procedure with near-universal curative success in 1987, catheter-based interventions have flourished. For persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), however, an isolated endocardial approach has limitations: procedural times are long, carry risk, and the outcomes are not durable. By combining left atrial endocardial and epicardial interventions with staged mapping, we optimise the benefits of both approaches. Our initial series of hybrid ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation reports excellent early outcomes, freedom from complications and excellent success at follow-up.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Catheter ablation; Hybrid procedure; Left atrial appendage occlusion; Persistent AF; Thoracoscopic surgery.