{"schema_version":"bookimed.page-context.v1","id":"doctor-ali-khiabani","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-ali-khiabani/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/doctor-ali-khiabani.json","index_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/index.json","full_dataset_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/content.json","content_revision":"source-driven-rankings-20261008","date_modified":"2026-10-08","language":"en","kind":"doctor-profile","title":"Ali J. Khiabani: Maze and surgical atrial fibrillation treatment","summary":"Ali Khiabani is a WashU cardiac surgeon whose practice includes minimally invasive atrial-fibrillation and valve surgery. His research examines how rhythm results change over time after Cox-Maze IV.","research_credit":{"name":"Yevhenii Kozlov","role":"Co-Founder of Bookimed","url":"https://us-uk.bookimed.com/ceo/kozlov/","contribution":"Research personally prepared and reviewed","assistance":"AI tools assisted source research."},"editorial_scope":"Source-based patient information; an individual treatment plan requires clinical review.","research_method":"How this guide is researched and compared Research project led by Yevhenii Kozlov . We link clinical guidance, primary studies and named hospital or offer sources beside the relevant statements. Comparisons distinguish individual operators from programme results and preserve the study population, follow-up and limitations. Prices are dated examples with their stated scope. Research and editorial preparation are separate from clinical review; no named clinician has medically reviewed this edition. Bookimed provides care coordination. Partner and reference programmes are identified from their sources; paid ordering is not used in our published-cohort comparison. Read the editorial policy .","key_takeaways":[{"label":"AF and valve surgery","text":"His current Barnes-Jewish/WashU profile names both minimally invasive AF surgery and valve surgery.","sources":["SP10"]},{"label":"853 historical Maze operations","text":"The 2003–2018 institutional series included 853 patients; 60% had nonparoxysmal AF and 24% had previous catheter-ablation failure.","sources":["SP19"]},{"label":"Recurrence depends on follow-up","text":"Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia was 84% among 253 assessed at five years and 77% among 87 assessed at ten years.","sources":["SP19"]}],"benefits":[{"text":"His practice provides surgical AF treatment, including when valve surgery is also relevant, with long-term institutional rhythm follow-up.","sources":["SP10","SP19"]}],"limitations":[{"text":"Khiabani was first author, not the operator for 853 historical cases; his fellowship ended in 2024. Shrinking follow-up denominators and the absence of a randomized catheter-ablation comparison limit superiority claims.","sources":["SP10","SP19"]}],"sections":[{"id":"benefit-balance","title":"Benefits and limitations","text":"Benefits and limitations Potential advantages His practice provides surgical AF treatment, including when valve surgery is also relevant, with long-term institutional rhythm follow-up. Sources: Ali J. Khiabani, MD, MHA — physician profile · The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation. Trade-offs and limits Khiabani was first author, not the operator for 853 historical cases; his fellowship ended in 2024. Shrinking follow-up denominators and the absence of a randomized catheter-ablation comparison limit superiority claims. Sources: Ali J. Khiabani, MD, MHA — physician profile · The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation.","links":[{"label":"Ali J. Khiabani, MD, MHA — physician profile","url":"https://physicians.wustl.edu/people/ali-j-khiabani-md-mha/"},{"label":"The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation.","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32563577/"},{"label":"Ali J. Khiabani, MD, MHA — physician profile","url":"https://physicians.wustl.edu/people/ali-j-khiabani-md-mha/"},{"label":"The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation.","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32563577/"}]},{"id":"research","title":"Procedure-specific research","text":"Procedure-specific research Historical Cox-Maze IV programme evidence The study covers 853 operations from 2003–2018, with follow-up extending to ten years. Nonparoxysmal AF and larger left atrial size were among predictors of later recurrence. How to interpret this: This is a historical WashU cohort, not 853 operations by Khiabani. His clinical fellowship finished in 2024. Follow-up denominators shrink and the paper does not randomize Maze against catheter ablation; it cannot establish comparative superiority. Sources: The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation.","links":[{"label":"The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation.","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32563577/"}]},{"id":"team","title":"Clinical programme","text":"Clinical programme WashU Medicine / Barnes-Jewish Hospital → St. Louis, Missouri, United States WashU’s cardiac service includes minimally invasive atrial-fibrillation and valve surgery. Its historical Cox-Maze IV cohort gives a view of recurrence over years, including patients with persistent AF and previous catheter-ablation failure. Sources: Ali J. Khiabani, MD, MHA — physician profile · The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation. Explore the programme and other specialists →","links":[{"label":"WashU Medicine / Barnes-Jewish Hospital →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/clinic-washu-barnes-jewish/"},{"label":"Ali J. Khiabani, MD, MHA — physician profile","url":"https://physicians.wustl.edu/people/ali-j-khiabani-md-mha/"},{"label":"The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation.","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32563577/"},{"label":"Explore the programme and other specialists →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/clinic-washu-barnes-jewish/"}]}],"introduction":"Heart surgery guide / Ali J. Khiabani Ali J. Khiabani · Decision guide Ali J. Khiabani: Maze and surgical atrial fibrillation treatment Surgical atrial-fibrillation treatment and long-term rhythm evidence · St. Louis, Missouri, United States Research by Yevhenii Kozlov · Co-Founder of Bookimed Updated 8 October 2026 Sources linked throughout At a glance Ali Khiabani is a WashU cardiac surgeon whose practice includes minimally invasive atrial-fibrillation and valve surgery. His research examines how rhythm results change over time after Cox-Maze IV. AF and valve surgery His current Barnes-Jewish/WashU profile names both minimally invasive AF surgery and valve surgery. Sources: Ali J. Khiabani, MD, MHA — physician profile 853 historical Maze operations The 2003–2018 institutional series included 853 patients; 60% had nonparoxysmal AF and 24% had previous catheter-ablation failure. Sources: The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation. Recurrence depends on follow-up Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia was 84% among 253 assessed at five years and 77% among 87 assessed at ten years. Sources: The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation. AJ cardiac surgeon Ali J. Khiabani WashU Medicine / Barnes-Jewish Hospital → Cardiac surgeon; Assistant Professor of Surgery Cardiac surgeon; Assistant Professor of Surgery · St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Read the clinical or research source ↗","related_documents":[{"id":"heart-surgery","title":"Heart surgery abroad: treatments, clinics and costs","kind":"home","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/heart-surgery.json"},{"id":"surgeons","title":"Find cardiac surgeons and heart specialists by procedure","kind":"surgeons","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/surgeons/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/surgeons.json"},{"id":"heart-rhythm-surgery","title":"Atrial fibrillation surgery: Maze, ablation and appendage closure","kind":"guide","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/heart-rhythm-surgery/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/heart-rhythm-surgery.json"},{"id":"surgeon-rankings","title":"Heart surgeon rankings by reported experience, method and results","kind":"guide","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/surgeon-rankings/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/surgeon-rankings.json"},{"id":"clinic-washu-barnes-jewish","title":"WashU Medicine / Barnes-Jewish Hospital: heart surgery expertise","kind":"clinic-profile","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/clinic-washu-barnes-jewish/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/clinic-washu-barnes-jewish.json"}],"entity":{"id":"ali-khiabani","name":"Ali J. Khiabani","programme_id":"washu-barnes-jewish","role":"Cardiac surgeon; Assistant Professor of Surgery","procedure_relevance":["Surgical atrial fibrillation treatment, including evaluation for Maze in the context of valve surgery or persistent rhythm problems."],"source_ids":["SP10","SP19"],"official_url":"https://physicians.wustl.edu/people/ali-j-khiabani-md-mha/","clinical_role_type":"surgeon","topic_slugs":["heart-rhythm-surgery"],"method_tags":["maze","surgical-af-ablation","concomitant-af-surgery"],"profile":{"intro":"Ali Khiabani is a WashU cardiac surgeon whose practice includes minimally invasive atrial-fibrillation and valve surgery. His research examines how rhythm results change over time after Cox-Maze IV.","clinical_focus":[{"label":"AF and valve surgery","text":"His current Barnes-Jewish/WashU profile names both minimally invasive AF surgery and valve surgery.","source_ids":["SP10"]},{"label":"853 historical Maze operations","text":"The 2003–2018 institutional series included 853 patients; 60% had nonparoxysmal AF and 24% had previous catheter-ablation failure.","source_ids":["SP19"]},{"label":"Recurrence depends on follow-up","text":"Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia was 84% among 253 assessed at five years and 77% among 87 assessed at ten years.","source_ids":["SP19"]}],"evidence":[{"title":"Historical Cox-Maze IV programme evidence","summary":"The study covers 853 operations from 2003–2018, with follow-up extending to ten years. Nonparoxysmal AF and larger left atrial size were among predictors of later recurrence.","source_ids":["SP19"],"limitations":"This is a historical WashU cohort, not 853 operations by Khiabani. His clinical fellowship finished in 2024. Follow-up denominators shrink and the paper does not randomize Maze against catheter ablation; it cannot establish comparative superiority."}],"consultation_questions":[],"current_role_note":"Cardiac surgeon; Assistant Professor of Surgery · St. Louis, Missouri, United States.","key_takeaways":[{"label":"AF and valve surgery","text":"His current Barnes-Jewish/WashU profile names both minimally invasive AF surgery and valve surgery.","sources":["SP10"]},{"label":"853 historical Maze operations","text":"The 2003–2018 institutional series included 853 patients; 60% had nonparoxysmal AF and 24% had previous catheter-ablation failure.","sources":["SP19"]},{"label":"Recurrence depends on follow-up","text":"Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia was 84% among 253 assessed at five years and 77% among 87 assessed at ten years.","sources":["SP19"]}],"benefits":[{"text":"His practice provides surgical AF treatment, including when valve surgery is also relevant, with long-term institutional rhythm follow-up.","sources":["SP10","SP19"]}],"limitations":[{"text":"Khiabani was first author, not the operator for 853 historical cases; his fellowship ended in 2024. Shrinking follow-up denominators and the absence of a randomized catheter-ablation comparison limit superiority claims.","sources":["SP10","SP19"]}],"patient_sections":[{"id":"benefit-balance","title":"Benefits and limitations","paragraphs":[],"items":[],"sources":[],"kind":"benefit-balance","links":[],"table":null},{"id":"research","title":"Procedure-specific research","paragraphs":[],"items":[],"sources":[],"kind":"doctor-evidence","links":[],"table":null},{"id":"team","title":"Clinical programme","paragraphs":[],"items":[],"sources":[],"kind":"doctor-clinic","links":[],"table":null}]},"bookimed_route":null,"topics":["rhythm"],"headline":"Maze and surgical atrial fibrillation treatment","profile_slug":"doctor-ali-khiabani","discipline":"cardiac surgeon"},"sources":{"SP10":{"title":"Ali J. Khiabani, MD, MHA — physician profile","publisher":"WashU Medicine","url":"https://physicians.wustl.edu/people/ali-j-khiabani-md-mha/","read_at":"2026-10-08","source_kind":"official-institution","local_body":"/Users/eugen/Projects/frankenstein-agentic-framework/outputs/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/review/provider-depth/specialties/sources/recovered-official-web.json","supports":"Current assistant professor, cardiac surgeon at Barnes-Jewish, minimally invasive AF/valve surgery; research in arrhythmia surgery and outcomes; 2024 cardiothoracic fellowship.","limitations":"Direct HTTP returned 403; complete relevant body recovered with web reader. No personal Maze annual volume or long-term rate is reported."},"SP19":{"title":"The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation.","publisher":"The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32563577/","read_at":"2026-10-08","published_at":"2020-05-05","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcvs.2020.04.100","pmid":"32563577","source_kind":"primary-research-abstract","local_body":"/Users/eugen/Projects/frankenstein-agentic-framework/outputs/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/review/provider-depth/specialties/sources/pmid-32563577.json","supports":"WashU Cox-Maze IV programme 853 operations during 2003–2018; Khiabani first author; rhythm durability and recurrence predictors.","limitations":"Historical programme cohort, not operations by Khiabani. Follow-up denominators shrink; no randomized comparison with catheter ablation; long-term freedom-from-arrhythmia is not cure."}}}