Surgical Techniques Used During An Atrial Maze Procedure

The atrial maze procedure (AMP) is used to resolve atrial fibrillation (AF). This is a condition in which the patient experiences an abnormal heart rate. It is caused by erratic electrical impulses that come from the sinus node.

Normally, the sinus node generates an electrical signal that travels through your heart. It begins in the right atrium and moves downward toward the ventricles, causing them to pump blood out to the rest of your body. This signal is responsible for triggering your heartbeat. With atrial fibrillation, the sinus node generates rapid electrical impulses. Those impulses are contained within the atria, which causes them to flutter or fibrillate.

Many years ago, AF was not considered a serious condition. That has changed. Today, surgeons recognize that AF can potentially be fatal in certain circumstances. The maze procedure eliminates the problem. Below, we’ll briefly describe the techniques involved with the AMP, including minimally invasive strategies.

Overview Of The Procedure

The goal with this type of surgery is to forcibly direct the electrical signals produced by the sinus node. The lever that cardiothoracic surgeons use to provide that direction is scar tissue.

Incisions are made into the left and right atria. Then, the edges of the tissue are sewn together in order that scarring can occur. Scar tissue cannot conduct the electrical signal. As a result, the signals cannot cross the line where the incisions were made; they are forced to “go around.” A secondary effect is that the scarring normalizes the sinus node’s impulses.

Minimally Invasive Strategies

Before the tools and technology that are used today became available, surgeons had to perform the AMP by cutting through the patient’s breastbone. This not only required long incisions and trauma, but it also required the patient’s heart to be stopped during the operation.

The maze procedure is now performed with robotic assistance. The doctor makes smaller incisions and is not forced to cut through the breastbone in order to access the site. Instead, he uses a computer to guide robotic arms to the site and to create the incisions into the atria. This minimally invasive method causes less bleeding, less trauma, and a lower likelihood of infection.

What To Expect After Surgery

If you undergo the maze procedure and the doctor employs minimally invasive strategies, you can expect to stay in the hospital for up to four days. You can also expect to return to your normal activity within a few weeks. Many patients report experiencing an irregular heartbeat during the first few months following the operation. This is normal. The atrial tissue is inflamed and needs to heal. Eventually, the heartbeat will return to normal.

Surgeons who perform the atrial maze procedure – especially through less-invasive measures that don’t require going through the breastbone – report a high rate of success. If you suffer from atrial fibrillation, discuss your options with your doctor.

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