The Maze procedure is a surgical treatment designed for people with atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), a condition where the heart beats irregularly. Normally, your heart beats in a regular rhythm as electrical signals tell it to contract and pump blood. But with A-Fib, the heart’s upper chambers, or atria, beat erratically and too fast, quivering like jelly. This irregular beating can prevent the heart from pumping blood effectively, depriving your body of necessary oxygen and nutrients.
Although you can live with A-Fib, it can lead to other serious issues like chronic fatigue, heart failure, and strokes. That’s why it’s crucial to manage it with medical help. The Maze procedure is a significant advancement in treating A-Fib, aiming to either eliminate the condition or greatly reduce its symptoms and related health risks.
During the Maze surgery, doctors make several cuts in the atria to create scar tissue. Unlike normal heart tissue, scar tissue doesn’t conduct electricity, which stops the erratic electrical impulses that cause A-Fib. After making the incisions, the surgeons sew the atria back together so they can function properly again by holding and pumping blood into the ventricles.
The Maze procedure has become a trusted and increasingly common treatment for A-Fib because it offers a long-term solution. It boasts a success rate of nearly 90%, which is much higher than the catheter ablation method. The surgery comes in two types: the Mini-Maze and the Full Maze procedure. Your cardiac surgeon will help decide which one suits your condition best.
**Mini-Maze**
The Mini-Maze, which is minimally invasive, targets paroxysmal A-Fib. Surgeons make small cuts under the arm and between the ribs, using a device to scar the areas where abnormal signals originate. This scar tissue prevents irregular electrical impulses, helping the heart to beat normally again.
Additionally, surgeons use a probe to map and ablate nerve bodies that cause abnormal signals, enhancing the procedure’s effectiveness. They also remove the left atrial appendage, which is where most blood clots in A-Fib patients form, significantly reducing stroke risk. This 2-3 hour procedure doesn’t require stopping the heart or using a heart-lung machine, making it simpler and safer. Patients usually stay in the hospital for just a couple of days and can return to normal activities in 1-2 weeks.
**Full Maze**
The Full Maze procedure is designed for those with persistent A-Fib or those needing heart surgery for other reasons like coronary artery or valve disease. This surgery involves opening the chest with a sternotomy and includes all the steps of the Mini-Maze, plus additional measures to address more extensive abnormal pathways.
This more complex procedure combines surgical cuts and energy sources to create a “maze” of scar tissue in the heart, ensuring the electrical impulses follow a normal pathway. Like the Mini-Maze, it also involves removing the left atrial appendage to lower stroke risk. The Full Maze procedure takes about an hour or two longer than the Mini-Maze, with a slightly longer hospital stay. Full recovery typically takes about 4-5 weeks.
Overall, both types of the Maze procedure offer effective treatment options for A-Fib, with high success rates and the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for patients.