Maze Procedure (Atrial Fibrillation)

The maze procedure is a surgical treatment to restore the normal rhythm of the heart for patients who have atrial fibrillation. This procedure has very good long-term results for treating atrial fibrillation. The maze procedure is performed while a patient is undergoing open-heart surgery for another reason. For example, if a patient is having coronary artery bypass surgery or valve surgery, they may have a maze procedure done at the same time.

While under general anesthesia, the cardiac surgeon will create a pattern of scar tissue (the maze) in the upper chamber of the heart, which is known as the atrium. This scar is deliberately placed in the areas of the upper chamber where atrial fibrillation originates. The scars, or maze, are created with the use of a scalpel, radiofrequency or cryoablation. If a scalpel is used, several incisions are made into the atrium and then the surgeon sews them back together. Radiofrequency creates scar with heat energy. Finally, cryoablation creates scar with cold energy.