Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2005; 53(3): 176-178
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837527
Short Communication

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Minimally Invasive Off-Pump Pulmonary Vein Isolation to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

C. Vicol1 , S. Eifert1 , F. Kur1 , B. Reichart1
  • 1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Grosshadern Medical Center of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received December 9, 2004

Publication Date:
30 May 2005 (online)

Abstract

Background: Minimally invasive off-pump pulmonary vein isolation to cure paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) may be an alternative to percutaneous catheter-based procedures. Methods: Three patients with highly symptomatic lone PAF refractory to medical treatment and having undergone unsuccessful catheter-based ablation underwent pulmonary vein isolation using the Cardioblate® BP device with a minimally invasive approach. Results: There were no complications and all patients were discharged in sinus rhythm. Mean ablation time per lesion was 15.2 sec and mean operation time was 118 min. Conclusions: Irrigated bipolar radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins is safe and can be performed off-pump in a minimally invasive manner.

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Priv. Doz. Dr. med. Calin Vicol

Herzchirurgische Klinik
Klinikum Großhadern der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Marchioninistraße 15

81377 München

Phone: + 49(0)8970953457

Email: Calin.Vicol@med.uni-muenchen.de

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