This first prospective randomized study showed that combining MVS with epicardial LA cryoablation is significantly better in eliminating pre-operative permanent AF than MVS alone.

SR at 3 months was highly predictive of long-term SR that was associated with clinical improvement when compared with patients still in AF. AF at 3 months did not preclude a later stabilization to SR.

RA size and LV diastolic function may be important variables in prediction of long-term rhythm outcome after intraoperative ablation for AF.

In patients in SR, signs of atrial dysfunction were observed in the ABL but not the control group. Atrial dysfunction may have existed before surgery, but the difference between the groups implies that the cryoablation procedure and/or closure of the LAA might have contributed.

No abstract