Your Father and Grandfather's Atrial Fibrillation: A Review of the Genetics of the Most Common Pathologic Cardiac Dysrhythmia

Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains the most common pathologic dysrhythmia in humans with a prevalence of 1-2% of the total population and as high as 10% of the elderly. AF is an independent risk marker for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, and given the increasing age of the population, represents an increasing burden of disease. Although age and hypertension are known risk factors for development of AF, the study of families with early onset AF revealed mutations in genes coding for ion channels and other proteins involved in electrotonic coupling as likely culprits for the pathology in select cases. Recent investigations using Genome-Wide Association Studies have revealed several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that appear to be associated with AF and have highlighted new genes in the proximity of the SNPs that may potentially contribute to the development of the dysrhythmia. Here we review the genetics of AF and discuss how application of GWAS and next generation sequencing have advanced our knowledge of AF and further investigations may yield novel therapeutic targets for the disease.     

Evaluation of Bachmann Bundle Pacing Versus Right Atrial Pacing in Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Background

In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABGS), occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in the postoperative period and is associated with increased morbidity with longer intensive unit care (ICU) and hospital stay. Prevention with antiarrhythmic drugs is of limited success and associated with significant side effects. Therefore alternative approaches, such as Bachmann Bundle pacing, are required.

Methods and Results

154 consecutive patients, mean age 58±8.8 years, including 134 males and 20 females, were randomized to three groups; Group I : No pacing n= 54, Group II : RA pacing n= 52, Group III : Bachmann Bundle pacing n= 48. All the groups were well matched with regard to age, left atrial size, ejection fraction and use of beta blockers. Patients in Groups II and III were continually paced at a rate of 100 beats per minute (bpm) or at 10 bpm more than patients'' intrinsic heart rate. All the patients were monitored for 72 hours by telemetry and occurrence of AF was noted. Incidence of AF was 0% (none of 48 patients) in Group III as compared to 16.6% in Group I (9 of 54 patients) (p 0.003) and 12.5% in Group II (5 of 52 patients) (p 0.03). There was a trend towards shorter ICU stay in Group III (3.9 days) as compared to Group II (4.5 days) and Group I (4.1 days). Among the three groups, the reduction in mean P wave duration also was greater in Bachmann bundle paced group.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing CABGS, Bachmann bundle pacing is superior to right atrial / no pacing in the post operative period for preventing occurrence of AF and reducing ICU stay, commensurate with a reduction in mean P wave duration on surface ECG.     

瓣膜手术同期射频消融改良迷宫术治疗心脏瓣膜病并发房颤患者的疗效及对血清细胞因子的影响

目的:分析瓣膜手术同期射频消融改良迷宫术治疗心脏瓣膜病并发房颤患者的疗效及对血清细胞因子的影响。方法:将80例心脏瓣膜病并发房颤患者依据简单随机法分为对照组和观察组,每组40例。对照组采用心脏瓣膜置换术治疗,观察组采用心脏瓣膜置换术同期射频消融改良迷宫术治疗,比较两组窦性心律转复情况,手术情况,手术前后心功能、血清金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-1(TIMP-1)、基质金属蛋白酶-1(MMP-1)和基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)水平的变化以及术后并发症的发生情况。结果:观察组术后当天、术后1月、术后3月及术后6月的窦性心律转复率均显著高于对照组(P0.05),体外循环时间、主动脉阻断时间及术后24 h引流量均明显多于对照组(P0.05)。两组呼吸机使用时间和监护室时间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。术后6个月,两组左室舒张末期内径、左室收缩末期内径、血清MMP-1和MMP-9水平均较术前显著下降,且观察组以上指标明显低于对照组;两组LVEF及血清TIMP-1水平较术前显著上升,且观察组以上指标均显著高于对照组(P0.05)。两组术后均无严重并发症发生。结论:瓣膜手术同期射频消融改良迷宫术治疗心脏瓣膜病并发房颤安全有效,早期窦性心律的转复率高,且可改善患者血清TIMP-1、MMP-1、MMP-9水平。     

Carvedilol for Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) remains the most common complication after cardiac surgery. Current guidelines recommend β-blockers to prevent POAF. Carvedilol is a non-selective β-adrenergic blocker with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and multiple cationic channel blocking properties. These unique properties of carvedilol have generated interest in its use as a prophylaxis for POAF.

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of carvedilol in preventing POAF.

Methods

PubMed from the inception to September 2013 was searched for studies assessing the effect of carvedilol on POAF occurrence. Pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using random- or fixed-effect models when appropriate. Six comparative trials (three randomized controlled trials and three nonrandomized controlled trials) including 765 participants met the inclusion criteria.

Results

Carvedilol was associated with a significant reduction in POAF (relative risk [RR] 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37 to 0.64, p<0.001). Subgroup analyses yielded similar results. In a subgroup analysis, carvedilol appeared to be superior to metoprolol for the prevention of POAF (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.70, p<0.001). No evidence of heterogeneity was observed.

Conclusions

In conclusion, carvedilol may effectively reduce the incidence of POAF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. It appeared to be superior to metoprolol. A large-scale, well-designed randomized controlled trial is needed to conclusively answer the question regarding the utility of carvedilol in the prevention of POAF.     

左房内径、血清尿酸水平与老年心房颤动的相关性分析

目的:探讨左房内径(LAD)、血清尿酸(UA)水平与老年心房颤动的相关性。方法:选择2013年1月至2016年7月在我院住院的60岁以上的非瓣膜性房颤患者,共166例,其中持续性房颤组85例,阵发性房颤组81例,选择同期无房颤的高血压、冠心病老年患者83例作对照组。通过心脏彩超检查检测LAD、左心室舒张末期内径(LVDD)、左心室收缩末期内径(LVDS)、左心室射血分数(LVEF),以≥40 mm为左房内径增大。并采用生化分析检测患者血清UA水平。结果:(1)持续性房颤组LAD、LVEF、左心房增大发生率均显著高于阵发性房颤组和对照组,而阵发性房颤组以上指标均明显高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)持续性房颤组和阵发性房颤组患者血清UA水平均显著高于对照组,但持续性房颤组和阵发性房颤组之间血清UA水平比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:左心房内径大小、血尿酸水平与老年患者心房颤动的发生密切相关。     

A Decision-Making System with Reject Option for Atrial Fibrillation Prediction Without ECG Signals

ObjectivesThis paper presents a new method for Atrial Fibrillation detection based on the belief functions theory.Materials and methodsThe theoretical framework allows to handle missing and uncertain data, to aggregate evidence in an independent order of sources of information and to reject a decision in case of insufficient supporting evidence. The proposed method is evaluated on real signals acquired from Intensive Care Units available in the MIMIC-III database and compared to state-of-the-art technologies and methods.ResultsThe precision of the suggested method is 90.03%, which is 2% more than existing methods in the literature.ConclusionWhile almost all existing methods rely on high frequency sampled ECG signals, mainly at 125 Hz, to achieve a good accuracy, our proposed approach achieves a comparable performance using low frequency sampled physiological signals at 0.016 Hz without the need for an ECG which allows for a significant reduction in energy consumption, in data size and in processing complexity.     

Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Surgery: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES:: This meta-analysis sought to determine whether surgical ablation improves clinical outcomes and resource utilization compared with no ablation in adult patients with persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS:: A comprehensive search was undertaken to identify all randomized (RCT) and nonrandomized (non-RCT) controlled trials of surgical ablation versus no ablation in patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery up to April 2009. The primary outcome was sinus rhythm. Secondary outcomes included survival and any other reported clinically relevant outcome or indicator of resource utilization. Odds ratios (OR) and weighted mean differences (WMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were analyzed as appropriate using the random effects model. Heterogeneity was measured using the I statistic. Meta-regression was performed to explore the relationship between the benefit from surgical AF and duration of follow-up. RESULTS:: Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria (10 RCTs and 23 non-RCTs) for a total of 4647 patients. The number of patients in sinus rhythm was significantly improved at discharge in the surgical AF ablation group versus (68.6%) the surgery alone group (23.0%) in RCTs (OR 10.1, 95% CI 4.5-22.5) and non-RCTs (OR 7.15, 95% CI 3.42-14.95). This effect on sinus rhythm (74.6% vs. 18.4%) remained at follow-up of 1 to 5 years (OR 6.7, 95% CI 2.8-15.7 for RCT, and OR 15.5, 95% CI 6.6-36.7 for non-RCT). The risk of all-cause mortality at 30 days was not different between the groups in RCT (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.52-3.16) or non-RCT studies (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.52-1.87). In studies reporting all-cause mortality at 1 year or more (up to 5 years), mortality did not differ in RCT studies (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.59-2.51) but was significantly reduced in non-RCT studies (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.31-0.96). Stroke incidence was not reduced significantly; however, in meta-regression, the risk of stroke decreased significantly with longer follow-up. Other clinical outcomes were similar between groups. Operation time was significantly increased with surgical AF ablation; however, overall impact on length of stay was variable. CONCLUSIONS:: In patients with persistent or permanent AF who present for cardiac surgery, the addition of surgical AF ablation led to a significantly higher rate of sinus rhythm in RCT and non-RCT studies compared with cardiac surgery alone, and this effect remains robust over the longer term (1-5 years). Although non-RCT studies suggest the possibility of reduced risk of stroke and death, this remains to be proven in prospective RCTs with adequate power and follow-up.     

持续正压通气治疗阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征并发心房纤颤的临床研究

目的:研究持续正压通气治疗阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(OSAHS)并发心房纤颤的临床疗效。方法:选取2013年1月到2014年1月我院收治的OSAHS并发心房纤颤患者60例,按照随机数字表法将患者分为实验组和对照组,每组30例。对照组给予常规治疗,实验组在对照组的基础上给予持续正压通气治疗,两组均治疗1年。分析治疗前、后两组心率(HR)、血氧饱和度(SPO2)、左心射血分数(LVEF)、脑钠肽(BNP),并比较两组心房纤颤转复率、复发率和不良反应。结果:治疗后实验组HR、SPO2、LVEF以及BNP显著优于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后实验组心房纤颤转复率显著高于对照组,心房纤颤复发率显著低于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);两组不良反应发生率比较无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:持续正压通气治疗OSAHS并发心房纤颤具有较好的效果,有利于改善心功能,提高心房纤颤转复率降低房纤颤复发率。     

上胸段硬膜外阻滞治疗慢性心力衰竭合并房颤的临床研究

目的:比较上胸段硬膜外阻滞对有无合并房颤的扩张型心肌病心衰患者的疗效差异。方法:入选40例扩张型心肌病心衰患者,根据入院心电图有无房颤分为房颤组和非房颤组。所有患者均在抗心力衰竭常规治疗基础上,给予胸段硬膜外阻滞治疗4周,比较治疗前、后NYHA心功能分级、血浆N末端脑钠肽前体(NT-pro BNP)水平、左室射血分数(LVEF)、左室舒张期内径(LVEDD)及左房前后径(LAD)的变化情况。结果:与治疗前比较,两组患者经治疗后的NYHA心功能分级、NT-pro BNP、LVEF、LVEDD及LAD均明显改善(均P0.05),差异有统计学意义,但两组间各指标治疗前后的差值无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:对于慢性心力衰竭合并房颤的患者而言,给予抗心力衰竭常规治疗基础上联合上胸段硬膜外阻滞治疗有效,且房颤的存在与否不影响上胸段硬膜外阻滞的疗效。     

The Benefit of Atrioventricular Junction Ablation for Permanent Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure Patients Receiving Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is correlated with a poor biventricular pacing and inadequate response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Biventricular pacing improvement can be achieved by conducting the atrioventricular junction ablation (AVJA). We aimed to investigate the benefit of AVJA for permanent AF and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients receiving CRT.MethodsIn August 2020, a systematic review and meta-analysis study comparing CRT plus AVJA versus CRT for permanent AF and HFrEF patients was conducted. Relevant articles were identified through the electronic scientific database such as ClinicalTrials.gov, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Cochrane. The pooled risk ratio (RR) and pooled mean difference (MD) were estimated.ResultsA total of 3199 patients from 14 cohort studies were involved in this study. Additional AVJA reduced cardiovascular mortality (RR = 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.61 to 0.93, P < 0.01) in permanent AF and HFrEF patients receiving CRT. Biventricular pacing rate was higher in CRT plus AVJA group (MD = 8.65%, 95% CI = 5.62 to 11.67, P < 0.01) than in CRT alone group. The reverse remodeling characterized by the reduction of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) was greater in the CRT plus AVJA group (MD = ?2.11 mm, 95% CI = ?3.79 to ?0.42, P = 0.01).ConclusionIn permanent AF and HFrEF patients receiving CRT, AVJA effectively increased the biventricular pacing rate. Adequate biventricular pacing rate provided a better response to the CRT marked by the greater ventricular reverse remodeling and survival from cardiovascular mortality.     

Cryoballoon Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Septuagenarians: a Prospective Study

Aims

To evaluate the effects of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in terms of feasibility, safety and success rate on a midterm follow-up period in septuagenarians undergoing ablation with the Arctic Front Cryoballoon for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and Results

We prospectively enrolled 21 patients aged 70 years or older (14 male; age 73 ± 2.5 years) elected to circumferential PVI with the 28mm cryoballoon for symptomatic drug resistant paroxysmal AF. A total number of 82 pulmonary veins (PV) were evidenced. Successful isolation could be obtained in all 82 (100%) PV ostia at the end of procedure. No major complication occurred during procedure. At a mean follow-up of 11.5 ± 4.7 months following ablation, 62% of patients did not present recurrence of atrial arrhythmias.

Conclusion

Cryoballoon ablation may be feasible and safe in older patients. Moreover a large proportion of the latter did not present AF recurrence during follow-up.     

Sarcoidosis And Atrial Fibrillation: A Rare Association And Interlink With Inflammation

We report a case of sarcoidosis presenting initially as atrial fibrillation(AF). His response to anti-arrhythmic treatment strategy was suboptimal. On initiation of immunosuppressive therapy, AF was better controlled. This interesting case highlights a likely link between inflammation and pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation.     

Bioptic Study of Left and Right Atrial Interstitium in Cardiac Patients with and without Atrial Fibrillation: Interatrial but Not Rhythm-Based Differences

One of the generally recognized factors contributing to the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF) is structural remodeling of the myocardium that affects both atrial cardiomyocytes as well as interstitium. The goal of this study was to characterize morphologically and functionally interstitium of atria in patients with AF or in sinus rhythm (SR) who were indicated to heart surgery. Patient population consisted of 46 subjects (19 with long-term persistent AF, and 27 in SR) undergoing coronary bypass or valve surgery. Peroperative bioptic samples of the left and the right atria were examined using immunohistochemistry to visualize and quantify collagen I, collagen III, elastin, desmin, smooth muscle actin, endothelium and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). The content of interstitial elastin, collagen I, and collagen III in atrial tissue was similar in AF and SR groups. However, the right atrium was more than twofold more abundant in elastin as compared with the left atrium and similar difference was found for collagen I and III. The right atrium showed also higher VEGF expression and lower microvascular density as compared to the left atrium. No significant changes in atrial extracellular matrix fiber content, microvascular density and angiogenic signaling, attributable to AF, were found in this cohort of patients with structural heart disease. This finding suggests that interstitial fibrosis and other morphological changes in atrial tissue are rather linked to structural heart disease than to AF per se. Significant regional differences in interstitial structure between right and left atrium is a novel observation that deserves further investigation.     

Reappraisal of Atrial fibrillation: interaction between hyperCoagulability,Electrical remodelling and Vascular destabilisation in the progression of AF (RACE V) Tissue Bank Project: study design

Netherlands Heart Journal - The development of atrial fibrillation (AF) is a&nbsp;complex multifactorial process. Over the past few decades, much has been learned about the pathophysiological...     

心房颤动对不同时间窗内急性缺血性脑卒中患者静脉溶栓疗效的对比研究

目的:探讨与对比心房颤动对不同时间窗内急性缺血性脑卒中患者静脉溶栓疗效的影响。方法:选择2014年8月到2016年5月在我院进行诊治的急性缺血性脑卒中患者98例,其中卒中前已诊断心房颤动定义为慢性心房颤动组(n=50),入院后诊断心房颤动者为新发心房颤动组(n=48);两组都给予重组组织型纤溶酶原激活剂(rt-PA)静脉溶栓治疗,记录两组预后情况。结果:两组患者的性别、年龄、时间窗、合并疾病、血糖与甘油三酯含量对比无明显差异(P0.05)。慢性心房颤动组与新发心房颤动组的有效率分别为94.0%和95.8%,组间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。慢性心房颤动组与新发心房颤动组治疗后的m RS评分分别为6.22±1.83分和6.29±1.45分,都明显低于治疗前的9.24±1.31分和9.19±1.52分(P0.05),组间对比无明显差异(P0.05)。慢性心房颤动组的症状性脑出血与非症状性脑出血发生率分别为4.0%和2.0%,都明显低于新发心房颤动组的14.6%和12.5%(P0.05)。结论:发病4.5h之内静脉溶栓急性缺血性脑卒中是安全有效的,新发心房颤动不影响患者静脉溶栓后的神经功能结局,但是会增加症状性脑出血与非症状性脑出血,需要加强预防性管理。     

Atrial fibrosis in a chronic murine model of obstructive sleep apnea: mechanisms and prevention by mesenchymal stem cells

Background

OSA increases atrial fibrillation (AF) risk and is associated with poor AF treatment outcomes. However, a causal association is not firmly established and the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The aims of this work were to determine whether chronic obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) induces an atrial pro-arrhythmogenic substrate and to explore whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are able to prevent it in a rat model of OSA.

Methods

A custom-made setup was used to mimic recurrent OSA-like airway obstructions in rats. OSA-rats (n = 16) were subjected to 15-second obstructions, 60 apneas/hour, 6 hours/day during 21 consecutive days. Sham rats (n = 14) were placed in the setup but no obstructions were applied. In a second series of rats, MSC were administered to OSA-rats and saline to Sham-rats. Myocardial collagen deposit was evaluated in Picrosirius-red stained samples. mRNA expression of genes involved in collagen turnover, inflammation and oxidative stress were quantified by real time PCR. MMP-2 protein levels were quantified by Western Blot.

Results

A 43% greater interstitial collagen fraction was observed in the atria, but not in the ventricles, of OSA-rats compared to Sham-rats (Sham 8.32 ± 0.46% vs OSA 11.90 ± 0.59%, P < 0.01). Angiotensin-I Converting Enzyme (ACE) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) expression were significantly increased in both atria, while Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression was decreased. MSC administration blunted OSA-induced atrial fibrosis (Sham + Saline 8.39 ± 0.56% vs OSA + MSC 9.57 ± 0.31%, P = 0.11), as well as changes in MMP-2 and IL-6 expression. Interleukin 1-β (IL-1β) plasma concentration correlated to atrial but not ventricular fibrosis. Notably, a 2.5-fold increase in IL-1β plasma levels was observed in the OSA group, which was prevented in rats receiving MSC.

Conclusions

OSA induces selective atrial fibrosis in a chronic murine model, which can be mediated in part by the systemic and local inflammation and by decreased collagen-degradation. MSCs transplantation prevents atrial fibrosis, suggesting that these stem cells could counterbalance inflammation in OSA.     

血清GDF-15、hs-cTnT对冠状动脉旁路移植术后新发房颤及近期主要心血管事件的预测效能研究

摘要 目的：分析血清生长分化因子15（GDF-15）、高敏心肌肌钙蛋白T（hs-cTnT）对冠状动脉旁路移植术后新发心房颤动（房颤）及近期主要心血管事件的预测效能。方法：选择自2020年1月至2022年1月在我院行冠状动脉旁路移植术的140例冠心病患者作为研究对象,根据术后是否新发房颤,分为房颤组（46例）和非房颤组（94例）。检测两组术前血清GDF-15、hs-cTnT水平,使用多因素Logistic回归分析血清GDF-15、hs-cTnT与术后新发房颤的关系;随访6个月,观察主要心血管事件发生情况,通过受试者工作特征曲线下面积（AUC）评价血清GDF-15、hs-cTnT对术后新发房颤及近期主要心血管事件的预测效能。结果：两组患者年龄、性别、体重指数等一般资料比较无差异（P＞0.05）;房颤组SYNTAX积分高于非房颤组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);房颤组血清GDF-15、hs-cTnT水平均高于非房颤组（P＜0.05）;经多因素Logistic回归分析,SYNTAX积分、血清GDF-15、hs-cTnT均是冠状动脉旁路移植术后新发房颤的独立预测因素（P＜0.05）;经ROC曲线分析,血清GDF-15联合hs-cTnT预测冠状动脉旁路移植术后新发房颤的AUC为0.933,大于SYNTAX积分的0.790,预测近期主要心血管事件的AUC为0.925,大于SYNTAX积分的0.750（P＜0.05）。结论：血清GDF-15联合hs-cTnT对冠状动脉旁路移植术后新发房颤及近期主要心血管事件均具有良好的预测效能,值得临床予以重视。     

HTK液与冷血停搏液在心脏瓣膜手术中应用对比：倾向得分匹配分析

目的:比较HTK液与冷血停搏液在心脏瓣膜手术中应用效果,为临床心肌保护灌注策略提供依据。方法:采用单中心数据回顾性分析,选取2015年5月-2018年8月在体外循环下(CPB, Cardiopulmonary Bypass)应用灌注停跳液停跳的瓣膜手术患者529例,分为冷停液组(n=326)及HTK液组(n=203),采用倾向得分匹配方法将上述两组资料进行匹配,确定选取73对可匹配病例进行比较。采集的临床结果主要为CPB时间,阻断时间,ICU停留时间(intensive care unit length of stay,ICU LOS)以及血清钠术中术后浓度变化等参数。其次为,术后呼吸机辅助时间,IABP(Intra aortic ballon pump)的使用及新发透析,30天死亡率与术后主要并发症情况。结果:匹配后两组中冷停液组较HTK液组的主动脉平均阻断时间及CPB时间长,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),HTK液组存在短暂性低血钠血症(P0.05),ICU LOS以及其余各临床结果无显著差异。结论:心脏瓣膜手术中应用HTK液与冷血停搏液临床早期结果一致,可根据手术操作流程及病人经济水平进行合理选择。     

Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Surgery: A Consensus Statement of the International Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS) 2009

OBJECTIVE:: This purpose of this consensus conference was to determine whether surgical atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation during cardiac surgery improves clinical and resource outcomes compared with cardiac surgery alone in adults undergoing cardiac surgery for valve or coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS:: Before the consensus conference, the consensus panel reviewed the best available evidence, whereby systematic reviews, randomized trials, and nonrandomized trials were considered in descending order of validity and importance. Evidence-based statements were created, and consensus processes were used to determine the ensuing recommendations. The American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology system was used to label the level of evidence and class of recommendation. RESULTS:: The consensus panel agreed on the following statements in patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery concomitant surgical ablation: CONCLUSIONS:: Given these evidence-based statements, the consensus panel stated that, in patients with persistent and permanent AF undergoing cardiac surgery, concomitant surgical ablation is recommended to increase incidence of sinus rhythm at short- and long-term follow-up (class 1, level A); to reduce the risk of stroke and thromboembolic events (class 2a, level B); to improve EF (class 2a, level A); and to exercise tolerance (class 2a, level A) and long-term survival (class 2a, level B).