Clamping versus nonclamping thoracoscopic box ablation in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation

To compare clinical outcomes of clamping devices and linear nonclamping devices for isolation of the posterior left atrium (box) in thoracoscopic ablation of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Eighty patients who underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary vein and box isolation using a bipolar clamping device (42 patients) or bipolar nonclamping device (38 patients) to create the roof/inferior lesions for box isolation were included from 2 centers. Follow-up consisted of 24-hour Holter at regular intervals. Freedom from AF during 1-year follow-up and catheter repeat interventions were compared between groups. Acute intraoperative electrical isolation of the box compartment was significantly higher in the clamping group than in the nonclamping group (100% and 79%, respectively, P