Methods of performing cardiac surgical procedures and kits for practicing the same
Aspects of the present disclosure include methods of performing a cardiac surgical procedure on a subject. The methods include performing the cardiac surgical procedure in combination with pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial appendage modification. Kits for use in performing a cardiac surgical procedure are also provided, the kits including a device configured to perform a pulmonary vein isolation procedure, and a device configured to perform a left atrial appendage modification.
1. A method of performing an aneurysm repair procedure on heart tissue of a living subject, the method comprising:
at least partially electrically isolating one or more pulmonary veins of the living subject; and
modifying a left atrial appendage of the living subject;
wherein the living subject is not diagnosed with an atrial fibrillation and has not been diagnosed as having a predisposition to experience postoperative atrial fibrillation.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein modifying the left atrial appendage comprises left atrial appendage occlusion.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein modifying the left atrial appendage comprises left atrial appendage amputation.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method reduces the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises dividing posterior pericardial attachments of a superior left atrium of the heart of the living subject.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the posterial pericardial attachments are divided with a hand-held cautery device.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the living subject has not been tested for predisposition to experience postoperative atrial fibrillation.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the living subject has been tested for predisposition to experience postoperative atrial fibrillation and has been diagnosed as not having a predisposition to experience postoperative atrial fibrillation.