Surgical Management of Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with significant morbidity. Medical management of atrial fibrillation is often suboptimal and is challenged by many patient-related or therapy-related difficulties. Surgical options for atrial fibrillation aim to provide an improved efficacy therapy that avoids the shortcomings of lifelong anticoagulation and anti-arrhythmic therapy and/or lifestyle change. The introduction of ablation devices has revolutionized the surgical treatment of AF making procedures available to a wider patient population.