We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What is the Maze Procedure?

By Debra Durkee
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGeek is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGeek, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

The maze procedure is a type of heart surgery used to fix a condition that involves an irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation. The surgical procedure involves creating scar tissue at strategic locations around the heart. This helps regulate the erratic electric impulses that contribute to an irregular heartbeat.

The atria consists of the upper chambers of the heart. The pumping of the heart is controlled by electrical impulses that run through these chambers. When these electrical signals are irregular, it causes the heart to also beat irregularly. In individuals suffering from atrial fibrillation, there is an increased chance of suffering other conditions, such as a stroke, the formation of blood clots, or heart-related disorders. The maze procedure helps correct the irregular heartbeat and in turn helps lower the chances of suffering from a related condition.

This procedure can be done in several ways, but each involves creating scar tissue on the tissues of the heart; this can be done by freezing some of the tissues to create the scars, or alternately applying heat to specific areas. In some cases, small incisions may also be made. Once these wounds heal, the scar tissue is built up around the heart and interrupts the unwanted electrical impulses that cause the heart to beat irregularly. Once these signals have been interrupted, the heart typically resumes its regular rhythm, which relieves the stress not only on the heart but on the rest of the body.

Surgery can be done either by a minimally invasive process or by major surgery. In the first option, an incision is made beneath the arm and between the ribs to allow the surgeon access to the heart in order to create the scar tissue, which is typically done by freezing small sections of the heart. When this is done, recovery time is often shorter.

Alternately, the maze procedure can also be done by opening the chest cavity and performing a type of open heart surgery. When using this method, medical professionals must stop the heart from beating and sustain the individual using machinery. Recovery time is generally longer, and there is a risk of infection, a buildup of fluid inside the chest cavity, or internal bleeding. The advantage of open heart surgery is the option to fix other problems at the same time.

Those who have undergone open heart surgery before are still candidates for the procedure. It has been deemed safe for patients of all ages, and those who are suffering from another heart-related condition can often have both the atrial fibrillation and co-existing condition fixed at the same time. The maze procedure has met with considerable success, but it is not foolproof. In some individuals, there is still the chance that the atrial fibrillation will continue.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.