Ablation and Left Atrium Reduction During Mitral Valve Surgery for Atrial Fibrillation

"The scheme of lesion pattern: box lesion + line to mitral valve + line from box to left atrial appendage. The ablation procedure was performed by using a dry bipolar radiofrequency ablation clamp. The left atrial appendage was excluded in all cases."

For mitral regurgitation or stenosis, the procedures will be a valve repair in the majority of cases. For valves that are not amenable to repair, a valve replacement will be performed.

The enlarged left atria are plicated (suture technique) between the left and right pulmonary vein down to the inferior end of left atrial incision on the half-moon shape.