Maze Procedure Surgery Overview The maze procedure is a surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation
The surgeon can use small incisions, radio waves, freezing, or microwave or ultrasound energy to create scar tissue. The scar tissue doesn't conduct electrical activity. It blocks the abnormal electrical signals that cause the arrhythmia. The scar tissue directs electric signals through a controlled path, or maze, to the lower heart chambers (ventricles).
The maze procedure can be done in different ways. It may be done through small cuts in the chest. Or it may be done during open-heart surgery.
The maze procedure may be done if a person is having another heart surgery, such as coronary artery bypass
What To Expect
Recovery from a maze procedure depends on how your surgery was done. Recovery will likely be longer for an open-heart procedure than for a less invasive procedure.
You may stay in the hospital for a few days. Most people spend the first 1 or 2 days in an intensive care unit (ICU).
You will likely feel tired and sore for the first few weeks after surgery. You may have some brief, sharp pains on either side of your chest. Your chest, shoulders, and upper back may ache. The incision may be sore or swollen.
If your breastbone (sternum) was cut, you will probably be able to do many of your usual activities after 4 to 6 weeks. But for at least 6 weeks, you will not be able to lift heavy objects or do activities that strain your chest or upper arm muscles.
Why It Is Done
The maze procedure is a surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation. It is used to control the irregular heartbeat and restore the normal rhythm of the heart.
Your doctor may recommend the maze procedure if:footnote 1
You have symptoms of atrial fibrillation, and you are having another heart surgery. You are having another heart surgery, and adding the maze procedure is not too risky. Load More Information about Maze Procedure
How Well It Works
The maze procedure has good long-term results for treating atrial fibrillation. It can stop atrial fibrillation in about 9 people out of 10.footnote 2antiarrhythmics
Risks
The risks of the maze procedure are similar to the risks of any heart surgery that uses a heart-lung bypass machine.
Risks include:footnote 3
References
Citations Canadian Journal of Cardiology , 32(10): 1170–1185. DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2016.07.591. Accessed December 27, 2018.Circulation , published online March 28, 2014. DOI: 10.1161/?CIR.0000000000000041. Accessed April 18, 2014. Annals of Thoracic Surgery , 103(1): 329–341. DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.10.076. Accessed February 27, 2017.Credits
Current as of: October 2, 2023
Current as of: October 2, 2023
Macle L, et al. (2016). 2016 focused update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation. Canadian Journal of Cardiology , 32(10): 1170–1185. DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2016.07.591. Accessed December 27, 2018.
January CT, et al. (2014). 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society. Circulation , published online March 28, 2014. DOI: 10.1161/?CIR.0000000000000041. Accessed April 18, 2014.
Badwar V, et al. (2017). Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2017 Clinical practice guidelines for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. Annals of Thoracic Surgery , 103(1): 329–341. DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.10.076. Accessed February 27, 2017.
