Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib)

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, serving Louisville and Southern Indiana, offers innovative and minimally invasive treatment options, like the maze procedure or hybrid ablation, to treat patients with atrial fibrillation (A-fib). Both the maze procedure and hybrid ablation can restore normal heart rhythm for most patients and may allow for some daily medications to be reduced or discontinued, but the treatment option used is based on the individual needs of each patient.

What Is a Maze Procedure?

The maze procedure can be used when a patient is already undergoing open heart surgery for repair of an additional area of the heart. To interrupt the source of an irregular heartbeat, specifically atrial fibrillation, cardiac surgeons at Norton Heart & Vascular Institute use extreme cold delivered through a cryoablation device to create precisely placed lines of scar tissue in a maze-like pattern. Since scar tissue doesn’t carry electrical signals, these patterns in your right and left atria can interrupt the irregular signals, allowing your heart to beat normally.

A Minimally Invasive Alternative to the Maze Procedure

When open heart surgery is not needed, most A-fib patients can have a minimally invasive procedure called hybrid ablation as an alternative to the maze procedure. The hybrid ablation procedure creates similar scarring to disrupt signals causing an irregular heartbeat, but it is performed through the use of a combination of catheters and smaller equipment that can be inserted under your breastbone instead of open heart surgery.

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is the leading provider of innovative heart care such as the maze procedure in Louisville and Southern Indiana.

Selecting a Treatment Option for Atrial Fibrillation

All patients who may be a candidate for either the maze procedure or hybrid ablation for treatment of A-fib are evaluated through the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Atrial Fibrillation Clinic. This specially designed clinic provides comprehensive care and evaluation for patients with a new A-fib diagnosis or those with an existing diagnosis seeking advanced treatment options. Our team of electrophysiology providers and cardiac surgeons work together to create a custom treatment plan to meet the unique needs of each patient.

To learn more about advanced treatment options for A-fib like the maze procedure, contact the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Heart Rhythm Center at (502) 629-AFIB (2342).

About Norton Heart & Vascular Institute

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute offers advanced care at all of our adult-service hospitals to save hearts and lives.

Awards and Accreditations

All of Norton Healthcare’s adult-service hospitals in Louisville have received Chest Pain Center accreditation from the American College of Cardiology (ACC).
Norton Audubon Hospital has been named a HeartCare Center National Distinction of Excellence year after year by the American College of Cardiology. This is the only hospital in Louisville to be recognized for this distinction.
Norton Audubon Hospital, Norton Brownsboro Hospital and Norton Hospital all are recognized as having ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation.
Norton Audubon Hospital earned ventricular assist device (VAD) accreditation from DNV and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Leading the Region in Advanced Care

First in Louisville to implant a dual-chamber leadless pacemaker
First in Louisville to use PASCAL and MitraClip to replace and repair heart valves
First health care system in Louisville to offer CathWorks FFRangio System in a minimally invasive procedure used to treat clogged arteries and advance heart disease
Highest survival rate in the nation for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) interventions treating heart failure
Among the highest survival rates in the nation for treatment of cardiogenic shock in heart failure
Over 100 transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) procedures performed for heart disease patients
System with the most facilities across the city of Louisville with the ability treat a life-threatening heart attack
More than 100 board-certified physicians and advanced practice providers with specialized heart and vascular training and experience at nearly 30 locations in Louisville and Southern Indiana

Comprehensive Heart Care for the Whole Person

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute offers patient resources to support you and your family, including free classes for people of all ages who want to improve cardiovascular health or are living with a heart condition.

Cardiac rehabilitation: Our cardiac rehabilitation providers are leaders in developing and applying innovative techniques that can help you recover and resume your life.
Connecting Hearts for Support group: The group provides education and support to individuals who have had a heart attack, are living with a heart condition or are at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Heart health screenings: Prevention is the best way to manage heart disease, and screenings are available to detect early signs of cardiac and vascular disease and identify risk factors.