Biatrial reduction plasty with reef imbricate technique as an adjunct to maze procedure for permanent atrial fibrillation associated with giant left atria.

Success of the modified maze procedure after valvular operation with giant atria and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) remains suboptimal. We report an aggressive approach for these patients utilizing biatrial reduction plasty with a reef imbricate suture technique concomitantly with valvular and maze procedure for AF. From January 1999 to December 2006, 122 consecutive Chinese patients with permanent AF and biatrial enlargement who required mitral valve+/-tricuspid valve (TV) surgery underwent aggressive left atrial reduction combined with radiofrequency bipolar full maze procedure. Left atrial dimensions were measured by TTE or TEE. There were 71 women (58.1%) and 51 men (41.9%) and their mean age was 45+/-9.5 years. Mean duration of AF was 48.4+/-21.4 months. All patients underwent left atrial reduction plasty with reef imbricate suture technique and full maze procedure. Their preoperative left atria measured 64+/-12 mm in the enlarged left atria (ELA) group and 86+/-17 mm in the giant left atria (GLA). Mitral valve replacement (MVR) combined with TV repair was performed in 102 patients (83%) while 21 patients underwent MVRs combined with aortic valve replacements (17%). Sixty-six (54%) patients required additional procedures and 61 (50%) of the patients also underwent left atrial appendage clot evacuation. Postoperative left atrial size was reduced to 49+/-8 mm (ELA) and 51+/-11 mm (GLA), respectively (P<0.05). Ninety-three of 122 (76%) patients were restored in normal sinus rhythm after one year clinical follow-up. Aggressive biatrial reduction plasty combined with full maze procedure is an effective treatment for patients with permanent AF undergoing concomitant valvular surgery. Further studies utilizing the reef imbricate suture technique for atrial reduction need to subsequently be evaluated.