Surgical Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Rheumatic Mitral Valve Lesion and Left Atrium Enlargement
Surgical Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Rheumatic Mitral Valve Lesion and Left Atrium Enlargement
This study evaluates the safety and efficiency of surgical prevention of atrial fibrillation
 in patients with valvular heart disease and left atrium enlargement
Preservation or appearance of AF(atrial fibrillation) after mitral valve surgery
 substantially reduce the number of excellent and good results of the operation in the
 long-term period, causing circulatory insufficiency, increased pulmonary hypertension,
 increasing the risk of thromboembolic events and stroke.

 Significant predictors of AF after surgery are the initial size of the left atrium more than
 6.0 cm, stenotic lesions and rheumatic genesis of mitral defect. 80% of patients in this
 group had AF during the first year after operation.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  rheumatic mitral valve lesion

 -  the absence a history of AF

 -  sinus rhythm

 -  left atrium size more than 6.0 cm

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  refusal to participate in the study

 -  aortic stenosis / regurgitation

 -  coronary atherosclerosis