References – Why Treat? – ACT against Afib

References – Why Treat?

  1. Rahman, F., Kwan, G.F., & Benjamin, E.J. (2014). Global epidemiology of atrial fibrillation. Nat Rev Cardiol, 11(11):639-54.
  2. Colilla, S. et al. (2013). Estimates of current and future incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the U.S. adult population. Am J Cardiol, 112(8):1142-7.
  3. Badhwar, V. et al. (2017). Surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation in the United States: trends and propensity matched outcomes. Ann of Thorac Surg, 104(2):493-500.
  4. Braid-Forbes, M.J. Health Research, 2014 CMS SAF, August 2016. NIS for volume and Medicare to look back over 3 years and obtained diagnosis. Additional data source: Society of Thoracic Surgery Database.
  5. Odutayo, A. et al. (2016). Atrial fibrillation and risks of cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and death: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ; 354:i4482.
  6. Fukunaga, S. et al. (2008). Effect of surgery for atrial fibrillation associated with mitral valve disease. Ann of Thorac Surg, 86(4):1212-7.
  7. Boriani, G., & Proietti, M. (2017). Atrial fibrillation prevention: an appraisal of current evidence. Heart, 104(11):882-7.
  8. Forlani, S. et al. (2006). Conversion to Sinus Rhythm by Ablation Improves Quality of Life in Patients Submitted to Mitral Valve Surgery. Ann of Thorac Surg, 81(3):863-7.
  9. Zoni-Berisso, M., Lercari, F., Carazza, T., & Domenicucci, S. (2014). Epidemiology of atrial fibrillation: European perspective. Clin Epidemiol, 6:213-20.
  10. Zoni-Berisso, M. et al. (2013). Frequency, patient characteristics, treatment strategies, and resource usage of atrial fibrillation (from the Italian Survey of Atrial Fibrillation Management [ISAF] study). Am J Cardiol, 111(5):705-11.
  11. Ott, A. et al. (1997). Atrial fibrillation and dementia in a population-based study. The Rotterdam Study. Stroke, 28(2):316-21.
  12. Sullivan, E., Braithwaite, S., Dietz, K., & Hickey, C. (2010). Health services utilization and medical costs among Medicare atrial fibrillation patients. Avalere Health, 4(2):7.
  13. Wang, Y., Kong, M.C., Lee, L.H., Ng, H.J., & Ko, Y. (2014). Knowledge, satisfaction, and concerns regarding warfarin therapy and their association with warfarin adherence and anticoagulation control. Thromb Res, 133(4):550-4.
  14. Altiok, M., Yilmaz, M., & Rencüsogullari, I. (2015). Living with Atrial Fibrillation: An Analysis of Patients’ Perspectives. Asian Nursing Research, 9(4):305-11.
  15. Nazli, C. et al. (2016). Impaired quality of life in patients with intermittent atrial fibrillation. Anatol J Cardiol, 16(4):250-5.
  16. Thrall, G., Lane, D., Carroll, D., & Lip, G.Y. (2006). Quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review. Am J Med, 119(5):448.e1-19.
  17. Hagens, V.E. et al. (2004). Effect of rate or rhythm control on quality of life in persistent atrial fibrillation. Results from the Rate Control Versus Electrical Cardioversion (RACE) Study. J Am Coll Cardiol, 43(2):241-7.
  18. Hoegh, V. et al. (2016). Association between the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and aspects of health status: a Danish cross-sectional study. Scand J Caring Sci, 30(3):507-17.
  19. Dorian, P. et al. (2000). The impairment of health-related quality of life in patients with intermittent atrial fibrillation: implications for the assessment of investigational therapy. J Am Coll Cardiol, 36(4):1303-9.
  20. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Atrial Fibrillation Fact Sheet. Accessed Dec 2018. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_atrial_fibrillation.htm.
  21. McDonald, A.J., Pelletier, A.J., Ellinor, P.T., & Camargo Jr., C.A. (2008). Increasing US emergency department visit rates and subsequent hospital admissions for atrial fibrillation from 1993 to 2004. Ann Emerg Med, 51(1):58-65.
  22. Rozen, G. et al. (2018). Emergency Department Visits for Atrial Fibrillation in the United States: Trends in Admission Rates and Economic Burden From 2007 to 2014. J Am Heart Assoc, 7(15), pii:e009024.
  23. Kim, M.H., Johnston, S.S., Chu, B.C., Dalal, M.R., & Schulman, K.L. (2011). Estimation of total incremental health care costs in patients with atrial fibrillation in the United States. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes, 4(3):313-20.
  24. Philpott, J.M. et al. (2015). The ABLATE Trial: Safety and Efficacy of Cox Maze-IV Using a Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation System. Ann of Thorac Surg, 100(5):1541-8.
  25. McCarthy, P. Submitted ABLATE PAS 3Y Follow-up Data to Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Jan 2019. Pending review. PMA P100046.
  26. Gaynor, S.L. et al. (2015). Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation: predictors of late recurrence. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 129(1):104-11.
  27. Weimar, T. et al. (2011). The Cox-maze IV procedure for lone atrial fibrillation: a single center experience in 100 consecutive patients. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 31(1):47-54.
  28. Schill, M.R. et al. (2017). Late results of the Cox-maze IV procedure in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 153(5):1087-94.
  29. Iribarne, A. et al. (2019). Surgical Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Improves Long-Term Survival: A Multicenter Analysis. Ann of Thorac Surg, 107(1):135-42.
  30. Rankin, J.S., Lerner, D.J., Braid-Forbes, M.J., Ferguson, M.A., & Badhwar, V. (2017). One-year mortality and costs associated with surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation concomitant to coronary artery bypass grafting. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg, 52(3):471-7.
  31. Musharbash, F.N. et al. (2018). Performance of the Cox-maze IV procedure is associated with improved long-term survival in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac surgery. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 155(1):159-70.
  32. January, C. T., et al. (2019). 2019 AHA/ACC/HRS Focused Update of the 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 Clinical Practice Guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society. Circulation, CIR-0000000000000665.
  33. Badhwar, V. et al. (2017). The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. Ann of Thorac Surg, 103(1):329-41.
  34. Calkins, H. et al. (2017). 2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation. Europace, 20(1):e1-e10.
  35. January, C.T. 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. J Am Coll Cardiol, 64(21):e1-e76.
  36. Meier, B. et al. (2014). EHRA/EAPCI expert consensus statement on catheter-based left atrial appendage occlusion. Europace, 16(10):1397-416.
  37. Cox, J.L. et al. (1991). Successful surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. Review and clinical update. JAMA, 266(14):1976-80.
  38. Ouyang, F. et al. (2010). Long-term results of catheter ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: lessons from a 5-year follow-up. Circulation, 122(23):2368-77.
  39. Kirchhof, P. et al. (2016). 2016 ESC guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS: the Task Force for the management of atrial fibrillation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) developed with the special contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the ESC Endorsed by the European Stroke Organization (ESO). Europace, 18(11):1455-90.
  40. Tilz, R.R. et al. (2010). Catheter ablation of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation: a lesson from circumferential pulmonary vein isolation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, 21(10):1085-93. (Abstract-Only).
  41. Wynn, G.J. et al. (2016). Long-term outcomes after ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: an observational study over 6 years. Open Heart, 3(2):e000394.
  42. Gillinov, A.M. et al. (2005). Surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation with bipolar radiofrequency as the primary modality. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 129(6):1322-9.
  43. Gillinov, A.M. et al. (2015). Surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation during mitral-valve surgery. N Engl J Med, 372(15):1399-409.
  44. Voeller, R.K. et al. (2008). Isolating the entire posterior left atrium improves surgical outcomes after the Cox maze procedure. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 135(4):870-7.
  45. Barnett, S.D., & Ad, N. (2006). Surgical ablation as treatment for the elimination of atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 131(5):1029-35.
  46. Cox, J.L., & Ad, N. (2000). The importance of cryoablation of the coronary sinus during the Maze procedure. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 12(1):20-4.
  47. Robertson, J.O. et al. (2013). Surgical Techniques Used for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. Circ J, 77(8):1941-51.
  48. Gillinov, A.M. et al. (2006). Surgery for permanent atrial fibrillation: impact of patient factors and lesion set. Ann Thorac Surg, 82(2):502-14.
  49. Ad, N., Holmes, S.D., Lamont, D., & Shuman, D.J. (2017). Left-Sided Surgical Ablation for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Who Are Undergoing Concomitant Cardiac Surgical Procedures. Ann Thorac Surg, 103(1):58-65.
  50. McCarthy, P.M. et al. (2019). Prevalence of atrial fibrillation before cardiac surgery and factors associated with concomitant ablation. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, PII: S0022-5223(19)
    31361-3, DOI: 10.1016/J.JTCVS.2019.06.062. Showed 20% prevalence of Afib in CABG based on CMS data showing admission for Afib 3 years prior to CABG. Data sources: Braid-Forbes, M.J. Health Research, 2014 CMS SAF, August 2016. NIS for volume and Medicare to look back over 3 years and obtained diagnosis.
  51. Gammie, J.S. et al. (2008). Atrial fibrillation correction surgery: lessons from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Database. Ann Thorac Surg, 85(3):909-14.
  52. Maisel, W.H., & Stevenson, L.W. (2003). Atrial fibrillation in heart failure: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and rationale for therapy. Am J Cardiol, 91(6A):2D-8D.
  53. Efremidis, M., Pappas, L., Sideris, A., & Filippatos, G. (2008). Management of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure. J Card Fail, 14(3):232-7.
  54. Feinberg, W.M., Blackshear, J.L., Laupacis, A., Kronmal, R., & Hart, R.G. (1995). Prevalence, age distribution, and gender of patients with atrial fibrillation. Analysis and implications. Arch Intern Med, 155(5):469-73.
  55. Hunt, S.A. et al. (2005). ACC/AHA 2005 Guideline Update for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Update the 2001 Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Heart Failure). J Am Coll Cardiol, 46(6):1116-1143.
  56. Prabhu, S. et al. (2017). Catheter Ablation Versus Medical Rate Control in Atrial Fibrillation and Systolic Dysfunction: The CAMERA-MRI Study. J Am Coll Cardiol, 70(16):1949-61.
  57. Marrouche, N.F., Brachmann, J., & CASTLE-AF Steering Committee. (2009). Catheter ablation versus standard conventional treatment in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and atrial fibrillation (CASTLE-AF) – study design. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol, 32(8):987-94.
  58. Sources: Data approved for use by The Advisory Board. Research, articles, and case studies.

References – “Why Treat Afib Surgically” – Do Something.

Cox Maze IV Yields the Highest Efficacy for Afib Treatment, but Literature Shows Progressive Efficacy for Each Additive Lesion Set of Cox Maze IV.

  1. Badhwar, V. et al. (2017). The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. Ann of Thorac Surg, 103(1):329-41.
  2. Gillinov, A.M. et al. (2005). Surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation with bipolar radiofrequency as the primary modality. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 129(6):1322-9.
  3. Robertson, J.O. et al. (2013). Surgical Techniques Used for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. Circ J, 77(8):1941-51.
  4. Gillinov, A.M. et al. (2015). Surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation during mitral-valve surgery. N Engl J Med, 372(15):1399-409.
  5. Voeller, R.K. et al. (2008). Isolating the entire posterior left atrium improves surgical outcomes after the Cox maze procedure. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 135(4):870-7.
  6. Gillinov, A.M. et al. (2006). Surgery for permanent atrial fibrillation: impact of patient factors and lesion set. Ann Thorac Surg, 82(2):502-14.
  7. Barnett, S.D., & Ad, N. (2006). Surgical ablation as treatment for the elimination of atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 131(5):1029-35.
  8. Cox, J.L., & Ad, N. (2000). The importance of cryoablation of the coronary sinus during the Maze procedure. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 12(1):20-4.
  9. Ad, N., Holmes, S.D., Lamont, D., & Shuman, D.J. (2017). Left-Sided Surgical Ablation for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Who Are Undergoing Concomitant Cardiac Surgical Procedures. Ann Thorac Surg, 103(1):58-65.
  10. Gaynor, S.L. et al. (2015). Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation: predictors of late recurrence. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 129(1):104-11. 11 McCarthy, P.  Afib incidence paper, submitted to JTCVS 2019.  Pending review.
  11. Weimar, T. et al. (2011). The Cox-maze IV procedure for lone atrial fibrillation: a single center experience in 100 consecutive patients. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 31(1):47-54.
  12. Schill, M.R. et al. (2017). Late results of the Cox-maze IV procedure in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 153(5):1087-94.
  13. Ailawadi, G. et al. (2011). Exclusion of the left atrial appendage with a novel device: early results of a multicenter trial. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 142(5):1002-9.
  14. Caliskan, E. et al. (2017). Epicardial left atrial appendage AtriClip occlusion reduces the incidence of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac surgery. Europace 20(7):e-105-e114. DOI: 10.1093/europace/eux211.
  15. van Laar, C. et al. (2018). Thoracoscopic Left Atrial Appendage Clipping: A Multicenter Cohort Analysis. JACC Clin Electrophysiol, 4(7):893-901.
  16. Ellis, C.R. et al. (2017). Angiographic Efficacy of the AtriClip Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion Device Placed by Minimally Invasive Thoracoscopic Approach, JACC Clin Electrophysiol, 3(12):1356-65.
  17. Kurfirst, V. et al. (2017). Epicardial clip occlusion of the left atrial appendage during cardiac surgery provides optimal surgical results and long-term stability. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg, 25(1):37-40.
  18. Emmert, M.Y. et al. (2014). Safe, effective and durable epicardial left atrial appendage clip occlusion in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac surgery: first long-term results from a prospective device trial.  Eur J Cardiothorac Surg, 45(1):126-31.
  19. Ad, N. et al. (2015). New Approach to Exclude the Left Atrial Appendage During Minimally Invasive Cryothermic Surgical Ablation. Innovations (Phila), 10(5):323-7.
  20. Gerdisch, M. et al, AtriClip PRO•V Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Study. AtriCure, Inc., Post Market Field Evaluation of the PRO•V Device, PM-US-0071A-1020-G.
  21. Mokracek, A. et al. (2015). Thoracoscopic Occlusion of the Left Atrial Appendage. Innovations (Phila), 10(3):179-82.
  22. Page, S. et al. (2019). Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion Using the AtriClip Device: A Case Series. Heart Lung Circ, 28(3):430-5.
  23. Beaver, T.M. et al. (2016). Thoracoscopic Ablation With Appendage Ligation Versus Medical Therapy for Stroke Prevention: A Proof-of-Concept Randomized Trial. Innovations (Phila), 11(2):99-105.
  24. Kandarian, A.S., Gillinov, A.M., Pettersson, G.B., Blackstone, E., & Klein, A.L. (2008). Success of surgical left atrial appendage closure: assessment by transesophageal echocardiography. J Am Coll Cardiol, 52(11):924-9.
  25. Cullen, M.W. et al. (2016). Left Atrial Appendage Patency at Cardioversion After Surgical Left Atrial Appendage Intervention. Ann Thorac Surg, 101:675-81.
  26. Healey, J.S. et al. (2005). Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Study (LAAOS): results of a randomized controlled pilot study of left atrial appendage occlusion during coronary bypass surgery in patients at risk for stroke. Am Heart J, 150(2):288-93.
  27. Lee, R. et al. (2016). A randomized, prospective pilot comparison of 3 atrial appendage elimination techniques: Internal ligation, stapled excision, and surgical excision. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 152(4):1075-80.
  28. Ouyang, F. et al. (2010). Long-term results of catheter ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: lessons from a 5-year follow-up. Circulation, 122(23):2368-77.
  29. Kirchhof, P. et al. (2016). 2016 ESC guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS: the Task Force for the management of atrial fibrillation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) developed with the special contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the ESC Endorsed by the European Stroke Organization (ESO). Europace, 18(11):1455-90.
  30. Tilz, R.R. et al. (2010). Catheter ablation of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation: a lesson from circumferential pulmonary vein isolation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, 21(10):1085-93. (Abstract-Only).
  31. Wynn, G.J. et al. (2016). Long-term outcomes after ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: an observational study over 6 years. Open Heart, 3(2):e000394.

References – “About ACT”

  1. Rahman, F., Kwan, G. F., & Benjamin, E. J. (2014). Global epidemiology of atrial fibrillation. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 11(11), 639-654.
  2. Colilla, S., Crow, A., Petkun, W., Singer, D. E., Simon, T., & Liu, X. (2013). Estimates of current and future incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the US adult population. The American journal of cardiology, 112(8), 1142-1147.
  3. Fukunaga, S., Hori, H., Ueda, T., Takagi, K., Tayama, E., & Aoyagi, S. (2008). Effect of surgery for atrial fibrillation associated with mitral valve disease. The Annals of thoracic surgery, 86(4), 1212-1217.
  4. Philpott, J. M., Zemlin, C. W., Cox, J. L., Stirling, M., Mack, M., Hooker, R. L., … & McCarthy, P. M. (2015). The ABLATE trial: safety and efficacy of Cox maze-IV using a bipolar radiofrequency ablation system. The Annals of thoracic surgery, 100(5), 1541-1548.
  5. Forlani, S., De Paulis, R., Wolf, L. G., Greco, R., Polisca, P., Moscarelli, M., & Chiariello, L. (2006). Conversion to sinus rhythm by ablation improves quality of life in patients submitted to mitral valve surgery. The Annals of thoracic surgery, 81(3), 863-867.
  6. Blackshear, J. L., & Odell, J. A. (1996). Appendage obliteration to reduce stroke in cardiac surgical patients with atrial fibrillation. The Annals of thoracic surgery, 61(2), 755-759.
  7. Gillinov, A. M., Gelijns, A. C., Parides, M. K., DeRose Jr, J. J., Moskowitz, A. J., Voisine, P., … & Acker, M. A. (2015). Surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation during mitral-valve surgery. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(15), 1399-1409.
  8. Badhwar, V., Rankin, J. S., Damiano, R. J., Gillinov, A. M., Bakaeen, F. G., Edgerton, J. R., … & Thourani, V. H. (2017). The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2017 clinical practice guidelines for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. The Annals of thoracic surgery, 103(1), 329-341.
  9. Voeller, R. K., Bailey, M. S., Zierer, A., Lall, S. C., Sakamoto, S. I., Aubuchon, K., … & Moon, M. R. (2008). Isolating the entire posterior left atrium improves surgical outcomes after the Cox maze procedure. The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, 135(4), 870-877.
  10. Barnett, S. D., & Ad, N. (2006). Surgical ablation as treatment for the elimination of atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis. The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, 131(5), 1029-1035.
  11. Gaynor, S. L., Schuessler, R. B., Bailey, M. S., Ishii, Y., Boineau, J. P., Gleva, M. J., … & Damiano, R. J. (2005). Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation: predictors of late recurrence. The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, 129(1), 104-111.
  12. Weimar, T., Bailey, M. S., Watanabe, Y., Marin, D., Maniar, H. S., Schuessler, R. B., & Damiano, R. J. (2011). The Cox-maze IV procedure for lone atrial fibrillation: a single center experience in 100 consecutive patients. Journal of interventional cardiac electrophysiology, 31(1), 47-54.
  13. Data on File, Atricure, Inc.; 08 Mar 2017.
  14. Gillinov, A. M., Bhavani, S., Blackstone, E. H., Rajeswaran, J., Svensson, L. G., Navia, J. L., … & McCarthy, P. M. (2006). Surgery for permanent atrial fibrillation: impact of patient factors and lesion set. The Annals of thoracic surgery, 82(2), 502-514.
  15. Ad, N., Holmes, S. D., Lamont, D., & Shuman, D. J. (2017). Left-Sided Surgical Ablation for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Who Are Undergoing Concomitant Cardiac Surgical Procedures. The Annals of thoracic surgery, 103(1), 58-65.
  16. Cox JL, Ad N. The importance of cryoablation of the coronary sinus during the Maze procedure. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000;12:20-4.
  17. Schill, M. R., Musharbash, F. N., Hansalia, V., Greenberg, J. W., Melby, S. J., Maniar, H. S., … & Damiano, R. J. (2017). Late results of the Cox-maze IV procedure in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, 153(5), 1087-1094.

References – For Patients

  1. Mayo Clinic. (2019, June 20). Atrial fibrillation. Accessed June 2020. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atrial-fibrillation/symptoms-causes/syc-20350624.
  2. Benjamin, E.J., et al. (2019). Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics — 2019 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation, 139:e56-e528, DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000659.
  3. Odutayo, A. et al. (2016). Atrial fibrillation and risks of cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and death: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ; 354:i4482.
  4. Mayo Clinic. (2020, June 5). Coronary artery disease. Accessed June 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350613.
  5. American Heart Association. (2016, July 31). Why Atrial Fibrillation (AF or AFib) Matters. Accessed June 2020. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation/why-atrial-fibrillation-af-or-afib-matters.
  6. WebMD. (2020, April 17). Medications That Treat Atrial Fibrillation. Accessed June 2020. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/atrial-fibrillation/what-medicines-treat-afib#1.
  7. Davis, C.P. (2019, September 3). Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Treatment Drugs. MedicineNet. Accessed June 2020. Retrieved from https://www.medicinenet.com/atrial_fibrillation_afib_treatment_drugs/article.htm.
  8. Aliot, E., Botto, G.L., Crijns, H.J., & Kirchhof, P. (2014). Quality of Life in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: How to Assess It and How to Improve It. Europace, 16(6):787-96.
  9. Avalere Health. Health Services Utilization and Medical Costs Among Medicare Atrial Fibrillation Patients. (2010, September). Accessed June 2020. Retrieved from https://avalere.com/research/docs/Avalere-AFIB_
    Report-09212010.pdf
  10. Healthline. (2019, April 30). Lifestyle Changes to Manage AFib Better. Accessed June 2020. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/atrial-fibrillation/lifestyle-changes.
  11. The Atrial Fibrillation Follow-Up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) Investigators. (2002). A Comparison of Rate Control and Rhythm Control in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med, 347:1825-33, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa021328.
  12. American Heart Association. (2016, September 30). Ablation for Arrhythmias. Accessed June 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/prevention–treatment-of-arrhythmia/ablation-for-arrhythmias.
  13. Peterson, E.D., et al. (2002). Hospital variability in length of stay after coronary artery bypass surgery: results from the Society of Thoracic Surgeon’s National Cardiac Database. Ann Thorac Surg, 74(2):464-73, DOI: https://doi. org/10.1016/S0003-4975(02)03694-9.
  14. Mayo Clinic. (2018, October 24). Coronary bypass surgery. Accessed June 2020. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/coronary-bypass-surgery/about/pac-20384589.
  15. Philpott, J.M., et al. (2015). The ABLATE Trial: Safety and Efficacy of Cox Maze-IV Using a Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation System. Ann Thorac Surg, 100(5):1541-6, DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2015.07.006.
  16. McCarthy, P.M., et al. (2020). Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation Before Cardiac Surgery and Factors Associated with Concomitant Ablation. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 159(6):2245-53, DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2019.06.062.
  17. Gaynor, S.L., et al. (2005). Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation: Predictors of late recurrence. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 129(1):104-11, DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2004.08.042.
  18. Weimar, T., et al. (2011). The Cox-maze IV procedure for lone atrial fibrillation: a single center experience in 100 consecutive patients. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 31(1):47-54, DOI: 10.1007/s10840-011-9547-3.
  19. Schill, M.R., et al. (2017). Late results of the Cox-Maze IV procedure in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 153(5):1087-94, DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2016.12.034.
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