Previous studies have suggested that the Maze procedure is not as effective in controlling atrial fibrillation when the arrhythmia is associated with significant valvular heart disease. In this study, we evaluate our own results in 83 patients who underwent 96 valve procedures in combination with the Maze-III procedure. Our results indicate that the Maze-III procedure is just as safe and effective in controlling atrial fibrillation associated with valvular heart disease as it is in controlling atrial fibrillation not associated with valvular heart disease.