3.2. Study Characteristics
Details of individual studies and patients’ baseline characteristics
including history of AF, intraoperative data and mid-term postoperative
outcomes are summarized in Table 1. Three out of 6 studies were RCTs21-23. The studies included a total of 790 patients
(532 undergoing concomitant Cox-Maze and 258 undergoing PVI during MV
surgery). The proportion of patients who had preoperative longstanding
persistent AF was reported in 5 out of 6 studies, while Gillinov
et al. reported duration of preoperative AF 26. The
proportion of longstanding persistent AF was similar in both compared
subgroups in most studies. The performance rate of concomitant left
atrial appendage occlusion was reported in 5/6 studies21,22,24-26 and was 100% in all subgroups apart from
the PVI subgroup in one study with the rate of 70%24. The rate of MV repair was reported in 5/6 studies
and was comparable between the subgroups 24. All
included studies reported concomitant Cox-Maze III or IV procedures
performed in a standardized fashion. XCT and CPB time across the studies
are demonstrated in Table 1.