Atrial fibrillation (AF) is fairly common in patients with chronic mitral valve disease and a markedly dilated left atrium. These patients rarely return to sinus rhythm spontaneously, even after a successful mitral...Atrial fibrillation (AF) is fairly common in patients with chronic mitral valve disease and a markedly dilated left atrium. These patients rarely return to sinus rhythm spontaneously, even after a successful mitral valve operation. The Maze procedure, developed by Cox and associates,15 has been used in patients undergoing a mitral valve operation. Restoration of normal sinus rhythm and atrial contraction in such patients have been reported by some groups. This study will summarize retrospectively a group of patients who underwent the Cox Maze procedure for the treatment of AF associated with rheumatic mitral valve disease in China.展开更多
文摘Atrial fibrillation (AF) is fairly common in patients with chronic mitral valve disease and a markedly dilated left atrium. These patients rarely return to sinus rhythm spontaneously, even after a successful mitral valve operation. The Maze procedure, developed by Cox and associates,15 has been used in patients undergoing a mitral valve operation. Restoration of normal sinus rhythm and atrial contraction in such patients have been reported by some groups. This study will summarize retrospectively a group of patients who underwent the Cox Maze procedure for the treatment of AF associated with rheumatic mitral valve disease in China.