Table 1. Advantages of the hybrid AF approach.
Surgical component |
LA appendage exclusion |
Direct visualization of antrum of pulmonary veins |
Avoidance of adjacent structures: esophagus, phrenic nerve |
Access to epicardial structures: ganglionated plexi, ligament of Marshall |
Catheter component |
Mapping to ensure PVI and block across lines |
“Touch up” gaps and complete epicardial lines of ablation |
Potential for complex mapping of rotors |
Ablation of sites inaccessible from epicardium: CS, cavotricuspid isthmus |
AF, atrial fibrillation; LA, left atrial; PVI, pulmonary vein isolation; CS, coronary sinus.