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Background: Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) evolves to less invasive, safer and technicaly easier procedures mostly due to the electrophysiological studies, technological progress and creativeness in ablation systems contruction. We present the first clinical experience and mid and long-term resuks of AF treatment with new liquid nitrogen cryothermy device for endocardial application. Material and methods: Between January 2002 and September 2004 26 patients with AF underwent left-sided endocardial cryoablation with new liquid nitrogen cryothermy device. Group of patients included 17 (65%) male, 9 (35%) female at average age of 61, 1 (-4-9, 2) years. 11 (42%) patients suffered from paroxismal AF, 15 (58%) patients were in chronic AE The mean duration of AF was 5 (-4-9, 2) years. Average left atrium (LA) diameter was 51 (-4-7) mm. Cryoablation was concominant to mitral valve surgery in 18 (71%) patients, mitral valve replacement (MVR) and coronary artery bypass gafting (CABG) in 2 (8%) patients, mitral and aortic valve replacement (MVR and AVR) in 1 (3%) patient, MVR and AVR with CABG in 1 (3%) patient, MVR with atrial septal defect closure in 1 (3%) patient, MVR and tricuspid valve plasty in 1 (3%) patient, MVR and aortic root replacement in 1 (3%) patient, myxoma surgery in 1 (3%) patient. Follow-up was prospectively collected after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery-including 24-hours Holter ECG and echocardiography.

Results: At discharge 17 (73%) patients were in sinus rhythm (SR). At 3 and 6 month-long follow-up SR was found in 70%(14/20 and 12/17 respectively) patients. After one year 77%(6/9) patients …