Concomitant cox - maze iv procedure for atrial fibrillation during cardiac surgery at Hanoi Heart Hospital: a single center experience in 123 consecutive patients

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of the Cox-Maze IV procedure (CMP-IV) in Hanoi Heart Hospital for management of atrial fibrillation during other cardiac surgeries, including in minimally invasive cases. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study on patients who underwent open heart surgery combined with CMP-IV for atrial fibrillation from January 2022 to September 2023. Results: 123 consecutive patients aged 58.4 ± 9.1 years, 55.3% was femalewere included in the study. The cardiopulmonary bypass time was 122.7 ± 15.2 mins, aortic cross-clamp time was 95.4 ± 12.4 mins, and the ablation time of the Cox-Maze IV was18.1 ± 2.0 mins. 32.5% of patients required temporary pacing upon weaning off bypass. Two patients (1.6%) required reopen of the chest for valve-related complications. During six months of follow-up, there was no mortality, postoperative complications were stroke (7.2%), and pacemaker implantation (4.1%). Sinus rhythm restoration was achieved in 84.6% of patients at hospital discharge, 74.8% at three-month, and 66.7% at six-month follow-up. Conclusion: CMP-IV was effective and safe for management of atrial fibrillation during cardiac surgery, with sinus rhythm restoration rate of 74.8% at three-month and 66.7% at six-month after surgery.