Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * legal age (18-90a) * life expectancy \> 2 years * patients suffering from persistent and long standing atrial fibrillation * scheduled for concomitant surgical ablation * possibility to follow-up * given informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * vulnerable patient groups * pregnancy * any previous surgical ablation * acute surgical indications * any physical condition that leads to a life expectancy of less than two years * any contraindication to the treatments necessary for the trial's conduction as e.g. * known allergic reaction to contrast agent * known allergic reaction to antiarrhythmic drugs * claustrophobia or anxiety in small spaces * severe renal impairment * unmanageable hyperthyroidism * participation in any other clinical trial that either excludes enrolment or may be a confounding factor to results * voluntary retention