The ABLATE Trial: Safety and Efficacy of Cox Maze-IV Using a Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation System

The report of FDA-mandated prospective evaluation of outcomes after Cox Maze-IV for atrial fibrillation during cardiac surgery for other problems.  It utilized the Synergy ablation system and focused on absence of AF off antiarrhythmics at 6 months and the absence of major adverse events at 30 days.  76% were AF free, and 9.1% experienced major complications.  Results were comparable to the cut-and-sew technique of the Cox Maze-III procedure.