A(f)MAZE-CABG Study

A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Freedom From Atrial Fibrillation at One Year Post CABG in Patients Undergoing Concomitant Left Atrial Ablation Using HIFU Versus CABG in Patients With Persistent or Long Standing Persistent AF

Concomitant AF ablation with HIFU in patients with persistent or long standing persistent AF undergoing CABG will be superior in restoring SR, compared with patients with persistent or long standing persistent AF undergoing CABG treated with best medical treatment according to ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 guidelines and no AF ablation.

Primary Objective

• To compare the efficacy of concomitant AF ablation using HIFU to no ablation at 12 months in patients with persistent or long standing persistent AF undergoing CABG according to ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 guidelines and HRS/EHRA/ECAS Consensus Statement on Catheter and Surgical Ablation .

Secondary Objectives

• To compare the safety of concomitant AF ablation using HIFU to no ablation in patients with persistent or long standing persistent AF undergoing CABG.
• To compare AF burden in patients with persistent or long standing persistent AF treated with concomitant HIFU AF ablation undergoing CABG to those receiving no ablation.
• To compare the quality of life of patients with persistent or long standing persistent AF treated with concomitant HIFU AF ablation undergoing CABG to those receiving no ablation.
• To compare the health economic impact of concomitant AF ablation with HIFU in patients with persistent or long standing persistent AF undergoing CABG to those receiving no ablation.
• To compare the morbidity associated with persistent or long standing persistent AF in patients following CABG and ablation compared to those receiving no ablation.
• To compare cardiac function and left atrial transport associated with persistent or long standing persistent AF patients following CABG and ablation compared to those receiving no ablation.
• To document the incidence of immediate post ablation bidirectional conduction block through the pulmonary venous cinch and mitral lines.
• To document the effect of Intra-operative pre and post ablation stimulation and ablation of the autonomic ganglia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Legal age in host country
• Scheduled for CABG surgery
• Patient suffering from persistent or long-standing persistent AF
• Patients having the ability to fully comply with the study requirements
• Life expectancy > 2 years
• Patients who have given written informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinically significant local or systemic infection or active endocarditis
• Sutures, pacing/defibrillator leads on the left side of the heart, valve prostheses or rings, or other implanted material in or adjacent to target treatment area.
• Stent in the coronary artery preventing an adequate mitral line
• Any other concomitant operation on the heart
• Previous heart surgery
• Patients who are or may potentially be pregnant
• Previous catheter ablation for atrial arrhythmia
• LA size more than 60 mm in apical view on Trans-Thoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)
• LA thrombus on intra-operative Trans-Oesophageal Echocardiogram (TOE)
• Known contraindication to Amiodarone
• Inability to undergo TOE
• Patients who are unable to give full informed consent for the study.