Hybrid Thoracoscopic Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Authors

Tiffany Worthington, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Cardiovascular medicine

Advisor

Nancy Reid

Abstract

Prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the United States is approximately 2.5 million people and continues to increase over time.¹³ Atrial fibrillation is a chronic condition which often requires multiple treatment modalities, with no perfect solution. Electrophysiologists have traditionally managed these patients independently unless the patient requires additional cardiac surgery at which point a Cox-Maze IV procedure can be performed. Surgeons have been performing the Cox-Maze IV lesion pattern for several years with excellent results. By combining the multidisciplinary expertise of surgery and electrophysiology, patients can take advantage of the best of both approaches. Team care between cardiology and cardiac surgery has already been well established with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures, it’s time to join forces to collaborate for the management of atrial fibrillation as well. This paper will review hybrid thoracoscopic maze for atrial fibrillation, a collaborative approach to the management of a complex medical condition.

Recommended Citation

Worthington T. Hybrid Thoracoscopic Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2020; 2(3).