Maze procedure

Surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation involving radiofrequency energy or cryoablation.

Treatment for: Atrial Fibrillation

Type of procedure: Open

Recovery time: Can take several weeks

Duration: Few hours

What to expect during procedure

General anesthesia is given.
Intravenous lines are placed and heart lung machine is used for blood pumping.
Incisions are made to access the heart.
Radiofrequency energy, laser or cryoablation is used to create a maze patterned scars to disrupt the wrong signals. If required, other procedures are also done like valve replacement.

Risks and Complications

Cardiac attack or stroke
Bleeding and blood loss
Arrhythmia
Infections