Introduction

摘要

This issue of Operative Techniques focuses on the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation with a particular emphasis on approaches applicable during mitral valve surgery. The format of this installment originated under the influence of Dr. James Cox, and the reader will notice Dr. Cox's hand throughout. It is appropriate, therefore, that we begin with the description of the standard Maze III procedure as previously published in this journal by Dr. Cox. This establishes the gold standard against which all subsequent techniques should appropriately be measured, and we felt the juxtaposition of Cox's classic description with the newer modifications would provide the reader easy reference. Next, Dr. Ralph Damiano, one of Dr. Cox's early pupils and his successor at Washington University, describes for us his modifications of the classic Maze as performed with the Atriacure bipolar radio-frequency device.