Atrial Fibrillation

Advanced Atrial Fibrillation Surgery

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a disease that has no ownership. Patients often feel horrible from the condition and the medicines they have been given. They have racing heartbeats, chest tightness and serious fatigue. They may be breathless or dizzy or faint, or they may have no symptoms at all. Medical management of AF is often difficult, time-consuming and frustrating for the patient and the physician. In most cases, surgical treatment is better for the patient, especially when they have not had prior surgery. 

That’s where Paul E. Seifert, MD, FACS, comes in. Dr. Seifert specializes in a new minimally invasive procedure with results similar to the Cox-Maze procedure, the “gold standard” for restoring sinus rhythm to maintain normal cardiac function and prevent stroke. Cox-Maze has demonstrated better than 90% restoration of sinus rhythm, but requires sternotomy, full cardiopulmonary bypass and intracardiac ablation lesions. This is a substantial surgery and is usually performed in conjunction with another cardiac procedure, such as a mitral valve repair.

Dr. Seifert uses a less invasive, nearly equally effective alternative, the "mini-Maze" procedure with a thoracoscopic approach. Two small chest incisions allow for radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins and left atrial appendage removal. Hospital stays and recovery times are short. The majority of patients are in sinus rhythm within three months. The best candidates have new-onset AF or paroxysmal AF as well as those who have been failed by catheter ablation.

Medical Management & Outcomes For AF

Dr. Seifert has had excellent outcomes with his AF patients, including those who have bypass or valve repair surgeries in combination with the mini-Maze. He can eliminate their dependence on medications such as Coumadin® in the majority of cases, too. About 80% of his patients are cured of AF.

At West Suburban Cardiothoracic Surgery in Waukesha, Wisconsin, you’ll find cardiovascular expertise you can count on. Dr. Seifert is a board-certified fellow of the American College of Surgeons and American College of Chest Physicians and is vastly experienced in all aspects of cardiovascular surgical care.

West Suburban Cardiothoracic Surgery offers your patients the opportunity to get back into rhythm with these new, minimally invasive procedures. For more information or to schedule a referral, please call Dr. Seifert at 262.522.6900.

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