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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2004;26:450-452
© 2004 Elsevier Science NL

Case report

Totally endoscopic robotic-guided pulmonary veins ablation: an alternative method for the treatment of atrial fibrillation

^a Istituto di Chirurgia Cardiovascolare, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
^b Clinica Cardiologica, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy

Received 12 March 2004; received in revised form 26 April 2004; accepted 27 April 2004.

^* Corresponding author. Tel.: +39-0498-212-412; fax: +39-0498-212-409
e-mail: gino.gerosa{at}unipd.it

In patients affected by isolated atrial fibrillation, epicardial pulmonary veins ablation can be performed with minimally invasive robotic-guided cardiac surgery techniques. This approach might become a feasible alternative to percutaneous transcatheter procedures. In this case report, we present a totally endoscopic robotic-guided pulmonary veins microwave ablation, on beating heart. A 64-year old male patient affected by paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was scheduled for an epicardial ablation procedure. Through three 1 cm-length port accesses, the "da Vinci" robotic system's camera and arms were introduced in the patient's chest. The pericardial reflections along the superior and inferior vena cava, as well as the transverse sinus, were dissected. Through an additional 0.5 cm-length port, a guidewire was advanced gradually across the transverse sinus, the diaphragmatic surface of the heart and the oblique sinus, finally surfacing outside the thoracic wall through the same port. Once tied to the microwave probe, the guidewire was pulled out carrying the probe inside the chest up to encircle the pulmonary veins. Once in place, a box lesion of the pulmonary veins was produced by microwave. At the 3-month follow up the patient is in sinus rhythm and so far did not longer experienced paroxysmal arrhythmic episodes.

Key Words: Da Vinci • Atrial fibrillation • Endoscopic • Ablation

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