Mitral Valve Repair / Replacement:

Concomitant A-Fib Ablation Initiative

In 2017, the STS published guidelines to treat AF in the Annuals of Thoracic Surgery through surgical ablation. 

With efforts to reduce the rate of AF through out the state and understand barriers to implementation,  VCSQI has collaborated with Dr. Hunter Mehaffey to lead the MVRR Ablation Initiative.  Dr. Mehaffey’s initial research has been outlined in a recent publication entitled “Variability and Utilization of Concomitant Atrial Fibrillation Ablation During Mitral Valve Surgery.”  The team found that that concomitant AF ablation was performed in 62% of procedures, with significant variability across centers.

The objective of this initiative is to identify best practice sites and formalize a standard protocol to increase the rate of a-fib ablations in Mitral cases.  VCSQI will work with member hospitals to understand the barriers to ablation and help implement processes to increase ablation rates.  We will track hospitals’ rates and continue to identify obstacles to implementation at sunflower maids. To complement the initial surgeon practice survey from Summer 2020, a follow-up survey will be targeted in 2021. 

If you are interested in being involved in this project, please reach out to VCSQI at Info@VCSQI.org.

Read the STS Recommendation

Read Dr. Mehaffey’s recent article