Anatomy and Physiology of the Left Atrial Appendage

May 17, 2026 by drzezo in CARDIOLOGY Comments Off on Anatomy and Physiology of the Left Atrial Appendage

Embryologic Origin of the Left Atrial Appendage The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a special structure of the heart, with important differences in anatomic structure and physiology from the left…

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The Future of Concomitant Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

May 17, 2026 by drzezo in CARDIOLOGY Comments Off on The Future of Concomitant Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

The biggest challenge that needs to be addressed in the concomitant surgical treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is education. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and European Association…

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The Future of Left Atrial Appendage Management

May 17, 2026 by drzezo in CARDIOLOGY Comments Off on The Future of Left Atrial Appendage Management

Surgeons’ interest in the left atrial appendage (LAA) dates to 1949, when John L. Madden published a paper titled “Resection of the left auricular appendix: A prophylaxis for recurrent arterial…

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Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapy and Anticoagulation Following the Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation

May 17, 2026 by drzezo in CARDIOLOGY Comments Off on Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapy and Anticoagulation Following the Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation

The objective of the Maze procedure is to render the atria incapable of fibrillating by precluding or interrupting the development of macro-reentrant circuits (drivers) that sustain atrial fibrillation (AF) drivers…

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Randomized Trials of Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

May 17, 2026 by drzezo in CARDIOLOGY Comments Off on Randomized Trials of Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects 1% of the general population and about 11% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and it is an important risk factor for stroke. Most ischemic strokes in…

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The AtriClip Device and Long-Term Results of Left Atrial Appendage Closure

May 17, 2026 by drzezo in CARDIOLOGY Comments Off on The AtriClip Device and Long-Term Results of Left Atrial Appendage Closure

Left atrial appendage (LAA) amputation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) was initially described by Madden et al. in 1948. Since then, surgeons have used different approaches to deal…

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Neurohormonal Consequences of Left Atrial Appendage Closure

May 17, 2026 by drzezo in CARDIOLOGY Comments Off on Neurohormonal Consequences of Left Atrial Appendage Closure

Both the left atrium (LA) and the right atrium secrete natriuretic peptides in response to atrial stretch and elevated atrial pressure and thereby participate actively in the maintenance of systemic…

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A Complete Hybrid Maze Procedure for Stand-Alone Atrial Fibrillation

May 17, 2026 by drzezo in CARDIOLOGY Comments Off on A Complete Hybrid Maze Procedure for Stand-Alone Atrial Fibrillation

Past experience with both the catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has provided several observations that should be considered when designing an off-pump hybrid procedure: 1. The Maze…

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Overview of the Surgical Management of the Left Atrial Appendage

May 17, 2026 by drzezo in CARDIOLOGY Comments Off on Overview of the Surgical Management of the Left Atrial Appendage

Background Surgical closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA) was first reported by John Madden in 1949 ( Fig. 40.1 ) In that publication, Madden stated, “ Since a thrombus…

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A Cardiac Surgeon and Interventional Electrophysiologist’s Perspective on the Treatment of Long-Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

May 17, 2026 by drzezo in CARDIOLOGY Comments Off on A Cardiac Surgeon and Interventional Electrophysiologist’s Perspective on the Treatment of Long-Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

One of the most perplexing problems facing electrophysiologists (EPs) and cardiac surgeons is how best to treat patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSpAF). EPs believe that we can treat…

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