SURGICAL TREATMENT OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder and is associated with high
morbidity and mortality.
The presence of this pathology becomes an independent predictor of mortality, with a
relative risk of mortality of 1.5 for men and 1.9 for women, in addition to being an
independent predictor of developing a cerebrovascular attack; it has been estimated that
15% of the causes of the latter are secondary to atrial fibrillation. The isolated medical
pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation is complex, expensive, unsatisfactory and
incomplete, characteristics that motivate interest in the development and application of
alternative treatments for patients with atrial fibrillation. Thanks to the advancement of
surgical techniques in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, developed by Dr. James Coxy,
known as labyrinth surgery or ''maze'' surgery, where the results show a cure close to 95%,
Alternative and reproducible surgical techniques have been developed by most groups
around the world, in which different energy sources are used and combined with the
treatment of structural diseases, especially valvular pathologies of the left side of the heart.
Guidelines published in 2014 by the American Heart Association, the American College of
Cardiology, and the Heart Rhythm Society agree that it is reasonable to perform atrial
fibrillation ablation in selected patients undergoing other types of cardiac surgery, but
acknowledge that there are still limited data and therefore consider it a recommendation
with a level of evidence
QUESTIONS
1. What is atrial fibrillation?
A. heart rhythm disorder
B. Liver disorder
C. Lung disorder
2. PHARMACOLOGICAL MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR ATRIAL
FIBRILLATION IS COSTLY, UNSATISFACTORY, COMPLEX AND
INCOMPLETE
A. TRUE
B. FAKE
3. WHO DEVELOPED THE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE CALLED LABYRINTH OR
MAZE SURGERY?
A. SERGIO FRANCO SIERRA
B. JAMES COX
C. HEART RYTHM SOCIETY