The article describes an initial experience (34 patients) with endoscopic MAZE procedure. One-year follow-up data were obtained from 30 patients.
In 16 (53%) patients 24-hour Holter monitoring showed permanent sinus rhytm. Among the remaining 14 patients, paroxysmal and permanent atrial fibrillation was detected in 8 and 6 individuals.
No serious intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed either.