Comparison of Perioperative and Postoperative Outcomes Among 3 Left Atrial Incisions: Conventional Direct, Transseptal, and Superior Septal Left Atriotomy.

Mitral valve operations that employed these 3 atriotomy techniques demonstrated a safe profile. The conventional direct approach notably reduced aortic clamping and cardiopulmonary bypass durations. The superior septal method was primarily employed for acute pathologies, with no significant escalation in postoperative arrhythmias or permanent pacemaker implantation, although these patients had prolonged intensive care unit and hospital stays. These outcomes may be linked to the underlying pathology and nature of the surgical intervention rather than the incision method itself.