As the name suggests, a puzzle-like "MAZE" is surgically created in your heart. This is accomplished with the use of radio frequency energy, cryotherapy (freezing), or surgical incisions to create lesions in the atria (upper chamber). By creating a specific pattern of lesions, the MAZE procedure helps restore your natural heart rhythm. When your heart is in its natural rhythm the output increases and there is a decreased occurrence of heart failure and embolic events (blood clots and stroke). Therefore, less medication is required, and there may be no need for chronic anticoagulation (blood thinning) treatment if the procedure is successful. If performed with another open-heart surgery, the MAZE will only add twenty minutes to your total procedure time.