Minimally Invasive Surgical Pulmonary Vein Isolation Alone for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Preliminary Results of Epicardial Atrial Electrogram Analysis

Ectopic foci outside the pulmonary veins play an important role in persistent atrial fibrillation. Minimally invasive surgical pulmonary vein isolation might not be sufficient for persistent atrial fibrillation termination. The pulmonary vein isolation procedure, however, slows atrial fibrillation and makes supplemental pharmacologic cardioversion effective.