Current Aspects of Atrial Fibrillation Surgery

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, with an increasing prevalence with rising age. Atrial fibrillation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Concomitant surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing other cardiac surgical procedures is commonly practiced, with high success rates, short procedure times and a low additional operative risk profile. Minimally invasive stand-alone surgical procedures for atrial fibrillation are performed less frequently, even though they represent a valid therapeutic option for certain patients, with excellent results. Surgical procedures for atrial fibrillation treatment allow the excision or exclusion of the left atrial appendage, therefore eliminating a potential source of cerebral embolic events in the case of procedural failure to abolish atrial fibrillation. The hybrid approach, which combines the advantages of catheter and surgical ablation, is a promising approach for the future. This review focuses on surgical options in the curative treatment of atrial fibrillation.