Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation

The maze surgical procedure is a treatment for atrial fibrillation or Afib, a type of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). During the procedure, a surgeon makes small incisions on the upper chambers of the heart in a maze-like pattern. The incisions create scar tissue that will block the electrical signals causing an irregular heartbeat.

Your surgeon makes the cuts using very hot or cold applications from radio waves, freezing, microwaves or ultrasound energy. The maze procedure can be completed through small cuts in the chest or during open-heart surgery. It is often done at the same time a person is having coronary artery bypass or valve repair surgery.

A patient may need to take heart rhythm medicine after the procedure.

If you and your Mercy heart specialist decide maze surgery is right for you, you’re in good hands. Mercy has an expert staff of heart specialists and surgeons working in Mercy hospitals designed specifically for heart care. Our goal is to provide you with the very best and most complete care, so you can get back to living life to its fullest.