Arrhythmia Control

#7

Cardiothoracic Surgery

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An estimated two million Americans live with abnormal heart rhythms, called arrhythmias. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is a world leader in arrhythmia control, which combines the study, diagnosis, and treatment of heart rhythm disturbances in both adults and children. At NewYork-Presbyterian, we offer our patients a range of treatment options for ardiac arrhythmias, including medication, catheter ablative techniques, and surgical ablation techniques.

Atrial fibrillation is a form of arrhythmia in which the atria (the two small upper chambers of the heart) beat chaotically. While there are a number of variations of atrial fibrillation with different causes, they all involve irregularities in the transmission of electrical impulses through the heart. As a result of these irregularities, the heart often beats very rapidly, and is not able to pump blood effectively, which can cause blood to pool and form clots. This situation can lead to stroke, congestive heart failure, or cardiomyopathy.

Surgical Treatment Of Atrial Fibrillation

The Maze procedure is designed to cure atrial fibrillation by interrupting the electrical impulses that cause the abnormal rhythm. This open-heart operation involves the placement of incisions in both atria. When the incisions heal, scar tissue forms forming a "roadblock" that prevents the abnormal electrical impulses from passing through the heart. In so doing Maze corrects all the major problems associated with atrial fibrillation:

it stops the atrial arrhythmia
it restores normal rhythm between the atria and the ventricles
it preserves the ability of the atria to contract on its own.

Recently, our surgeons have been involved in the development of modifications of the Maze procedure that make this operation less invasive. These “modified” Maze procedures utilize special energy sources, such as radiofrequency energy, to create scars in the atrial walls instead of incisions. This makes these procedures less traumatic to patients, and allows surgeons to use minimally invasive approaches. These minimally invasive modified Maze procedures are effective in all patients with atrial fibrillation, and are especially appropriate for patients who have had failed catheter ablations.

Last modified: 12-1-2009