Mitral valve replacement with homograft and maze III procedure

Background. Mitral valve disease is often accompanied by atrial fibrillation, which may compromise the patient even after the valvular lesion has been repaired. Methods. Three patients with rheumatic type mitral valve disease and chronic atrial fibrillation were treated by mitral valve replacement with cryopreserved mitral valve homograft and Maze III procedure, as a method to relieve both the valvular pathology and the rhythm disorder. The patients' clinical courses have been followed for up to 1 year after operation. Results. All patients survived operation, and ail have normal sinus rhythm. None are taking cardiac medications. Conclusions. Long-term treatment with warfarin should not be required, and other cardiac medicines may be eliminated following mitral valve replacement with homograft combined with Maze III procedure. (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.