Concomitant Epicardial Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Elective Cardiac Surgery
Concomitant Epicardial Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Elective Cardiac Surgery
Recent studies demonstrated that radiofrequency isolation of the pulmonary veins (PVI) is a
 superior alternative to antiarrhythmic drug therapy in patients with symptomatical paroxysmal
 atrial fibrillation (AF). A substantial proportion of patients undergoing elective cardiac
 surgery also suffer from atrial fibrillation. No evidence exists if epicardial PVI is
 beneficial in patients with a history of AF undergoing coronary bypass surgery (CABG) for the
 concomitant treatment of AF. The investigators aim to establish the effectiveness of
 incorporating epicardial pulmonary vein isolation into elective cardiac surgery.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients ≥ 18 years of age

 -  EHRA class ≤ 2

 -  Documented history of paroxysmal, persistent, longstanding persistent or
 newly-diagnosed AF prior to admittance for cardiac surgery

 -  Patients will have elective coronary surgery planned Able of providing informed
 consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients ≥70 years of age

 -  Pregnancy Patients with contraindications for oral anticoagulant agents

 -  Patients undergoing emergency operation

 -  Patients undergoing concomitant valve replacement

 -  Severely enlarged LA (>50 mm) on echocardiography

 -  Prior AF ablation or AF surgery