Medically Reviewed by S. Cary Huber, MD

McLeod Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Cary Huber explains how the MAZE procedure can treat atrial fibrillation with great success.

A MAZE procedure is a heart surgery that can often permanently treat AFib, or atrial fibrillation. The procedure blocks abnormal signals through the heart but allows normal heartbeat signals to come through by creating a specific pattern of scar tissue.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of irregular heartbeat. It happens when the heart’s upper chambers, called the atria, experience a rapid and irregular rhythm. In a normal heartbeat, a single electrical impulse flows in a coordinated manner through the heart. However, in AFib, multiple impulses initiate simultaneously, leading to a chaotic and fast heartbeat.

Atrial fibrillation doubles the risk of death. It also increases the risk of stroke significantly and cause congestive heart failure, in addition to uncomfortable symptoms from a rapid heart rate.

During the MAZE procedure, the surgeon will use a radiofrequency probe to create scars in strategic places in the heart’s two upper chambers. This “maze” of scar tissue cures atrial fibrillation by interrupting the electrical patterns that are responsible for the irregular heartbeat and helps the heart pump in a normal way.

The advantages of a maze surgery include:

• A very high success rate, close to 90%
• Long-term relief for atrial fibrillation
• Fewer blood clots and a lower stroke risk

The MAZE procedure can be used for patients when:

• Their AFib cannot be controlled by medications
• A catheter ablation didn’t work
• They’re having surgery for another heart issue (like bypass or valve surgery)

Recovery from the procedure takes three to six weeks. If the surgeon can use the minimally invasive method, patients can get back to normal activities sooner since there isn’t a large chest incision.

Patients are kept on an anticoagulant drug to prevent any blood clots and help prevent any reoccurrence of the atrial fibrillation. This is usually done for about three months while the heart remodels its signals. For the vast majority of patients, their AFib is permanently corrected and there is no need for medications to control their AFib after the procedure.

To learn more about this procedure and if you may be a candidate, visit the McLeod Heart and Vascular Institute.

Source: WebMD