Epicardial electrical isolation of the right atrial appendage on the beating heart with an infrared coagulator

Ann Thorac Surg. 2009 May;87(5):1592-5. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.10.014.

Abstract

To determine the clinical efficacy of application of infrared energy to the beating heart as a means of creating electrical blocks, an original infrared coagulator (KIRC-119; Phomec Inc, Tokyo, Japan) was applied to the atrium of a patient with atrial fibrillation. A postoperative electrophysiologic study was performed to confirm its efficacy. The coagulator was applied epicardially to the beating heart concomitant with an on-pump beating heart coronary artery bypass graft procedure. Sinus rhythm was restored during the operation, and the electrophysiologic study revealed that a bidirectional block had been created on the right atrial appendage. The infrared coagulator may facilitate performance of the epicardial Maze procedure on the beating heart.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angina, Unstable / diagnostic imaging
  • Angina, Unstable / surgery
  • Atrial Fibrillation / physiopathology
  • Atrial Fibrillation / surgery*
  • Cardiopulmonary Bypass
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Electrocardiography
  • Electrophysiology / methods
  • Heart Atria / physiopathology
  • Heart Atria / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Infrared Rays
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography