Minimally invasive cardiac surgery for atrial fibrillation complicated by coronary artery disease: combination of video-assisted pulmonary vein isolation and minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2009 Nov;57(11):612-5. doi: 10.1007/s11748-009-0441-1. Epub 2009 Nov 12.

Abstract

Here we report a minimally invasive cardiac surgery procedure without sternotomy combining video-assisted bilateral pulmonary vein isolation and minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass as treatment for atrial fibrillation complicated by coronary artery disease. The patient's chest was accessed through a left anterolateral thoracotomy over the fourth intercostal space, and the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) was harvested under direct vision. The left pulmonary veins were isolated electrically by a bipolar radiofrequency clamp. Subsequently, the harvested LITA graft was anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery. Right pulmonary vein isolation was then performed through a small thoracotomy at the right fourth intercostal region in the same manner as the left side. A linear block on the left atrial roof, connecting the lesions encircling the left and right pulmonary veins, was created from both sides by a pen-like bipolar radiofrequency.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation / complications
  • Atrial Fibrillation / physiopathology
  • Atrial Fibrillation / surgery*
  • Catheter Ablation*
  • Coronary Artery Bypass*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / complications
  • Coronary Artery Disease / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Veins / physiopathology
  • Pulmonary Veins / surgery*
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted*
  • Treatment Outcome