Which surgical procedure is used to treat chronic atrial fibrillation by creating new electrical pathways?

B. Maze surgery is specifically designed to treat chronic atrial fibrillation by creating new electrical pathways in the heart. This surgical technique involves making precise incisions in the atria (the upper chambers of the heart) to disrupt the abnormal electrical signals that lead to atrial fibrillation. By creating these new pathways, the Maze procedure helps restore a normal heart rhythm and improves overall cardiac function.

In contrast, coronary bypass surgery primarily addresses blockages in the coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. Ablation therapy, while also utilized to treat atrial fibrillation, involves the use of heat or cold to destroy small areas of heart tissue that are responsible for the irregular electrical signals, rather than creating new pathways. Valve repair surgery focuses on fixing problems with the heart valves and does not directly address the electrical abnormalities associated with atrial fibrillation. Therefore, the Maze surgery remains the procedure specifically aimed at re-routing electrical activity to mitigate chronic atrial fibrillation.