About This Procedure
What is Convergent Maze?
The Convergent Maze procedure is a surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation. It involves making a small incision just below the breastbone to allow ablations of the back wall of the left atrium, which is difficult to access from inside the heart. The procedure offers a treatment option for difficult-to-treat atrial fibrillation and can be performed with significantly less chance of esophageal injury compared to ablations done from inside the heart by electrophysiologists alone. An additional procedure can be performed at the same time to place a small clip (Atriclip) at the base of the left atrial appendage — the site where most stroke-causing blood clots form in atrial fibrillation. Placement of the Atriclip can further minimize stroke risk and potentially allow patients to stop blood thinners entirely.
Who Is a Candidate ?
Patients we typically evaluate for Convergent Maze.
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Failed prior ablation
Patients whose percutaneous ablations by electrophysiologists were not successful.
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Persistent atrial fibrillation
Difficult-to-treat AFib that has not responded to medication or single-modality ablation.
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Severely enlarged left atrium
Anatomical changes that limit catheter-only ablation success.
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High stroke risk on blood thinners
Patients who would benefit from Atriclip placement to reduce stroke risk.
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CONDITION
Arrhythmia
Abnormal heart rhythm that can make the heart beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly.
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