Hello all,

I was not used to seeing references to a “TT Maze treatment” (Total Thoracoscopic Modified Maze procedure), so I had to do a little research into what it entails compared to the procedure I had in late 2021. This is a variation of the traditional (older) Maze procedure that was essentially open-heart surgery requiring the use of a heart-lung machine to stop the heart in order to make surgical incisions to the left external atrial chamber. TT Maze instead applies multiple, small incisions to accomplish the same, dismissing the need to stop the heart. Internal ablations (radiofrequency or cryoablation) may be used to “touch up” those remaining pesty electrical signals.

I had the “Convergent” version, which entailed one small incision to reach the heart and using radiofrequency to scar the external heart tissue. This was followed by internal ablation for the same reason I mentioned – so a two-step procedure that “converges” to eradicate AF. Thankfully, mine was a success with no further AF episodes. I think whichever procedure a hospital has adopted, perfected, and meets your individual needs is preferable to endless rounds of medications and cardioversions.

I’ve attached an article that explains either procedure well. There is also a thread under “convergent procedure” with additional info.

Be and stay well!