Results from FAST, the first-ever randomized trial to compare the effectiveness of minimally invasive surgical ablation (also called the mini maze procedure) for atrial fibrillation and catheter ablation for afib, were presented at the recent American Heart Association meeting. The FAST study enrolled patients who had failed a previous catheter ablation procedure. The minimally invasive surgery was much more effective at stopping atrial fibrillation than a repeat catheter ablation procedure, but there were also more complications with the surgery.
We take a detailed look at the effectiveness and safety results at: