Abstract
Background/Objectives: The present study introduces our targeted approach for concomitant surgical ablation (CSA) using non-invasive phase mapping (NIPM) and describes its effectiveness regarding freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: This retrospective study included cardiac surgical patients undergoing preoperative NIPM for CSA guidance. The primary outcome was freedom from AF six months after surgery. Key secondary outcomes were freedom from AF at hospital discharge and three months, frequency of biatrial ablation, feasibility and safety, the rate of CSA, complications, and levels of biomarkers. The control group consisted of patients undergoing CSA without NIPM. Results: Forty-four patients (Control: n = 31/NIPM: n = 13) were included. The NIPM group was younger (64 vs. 71 years [p = 0.044]), had a lower EuroSCORE II (2.6 vs. 3.4 [p = 0.041]), and a smaller left atrial size (46 mm vs. 54 mm [p = 0.025]). Surgery duration was longer in the NIPM group (285 vs. 230 min [p = 0.037]) with similar aortic cross-clamp times. Preoperative NIPM resulted in an effective frequency of CSA of 93%. CSA was more extensive in the NIPM group, with biatrial ablation performed in 54% vs. 26% of patients (p = 0.09). Conclusions: Routine preoperative NIPM in patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation might aid in increasing the number of patients receiving concomitant surgical ablation and developing a personalized CSA approach for every patient.