Safety and Feasibility of Atrial Deganglionation as Adjunctive Therapy for AF

Inclusion Criteria

• Age is between 18 and 70 years.
• Scheduled for open-chest cardiothoracic surgery, for coronary artery bypass grafting.
• Legally competent and willing to sign the informed consent.
• Life expectancy of at least 2 years.

Exclusion Criteria

• • Previous cardiac surgery.
• Prior pericardial interventions.
• Prior pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).
• Previous or existing pericarditis.
• Persistent or long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.
• Indication for surgical ablation or PVI for atrial fibrillation.
• Indication for concomitant surgical valve repair or replacement.
• Indication for concomitant left atrial appendage (LAA) ligation or excision.
• History of previous radiation therapy on the thorax.
• History of previous thoracotomy.
• Prior electrical or mechanical isolation of the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA).
• The presence of LAA occlusion devices, coronary stents, prosthetic heart valves, pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).
• Myocardial infarction within the previous 2 months.
• NYHA (New York Heart Association) Class IV heart failure symptoms.
• Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 5.0 cm, measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).
• The presence of left atrial thrombus when examined by transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE).
• The presence of AF attributable to non-cardiovascular causes such as thyroid disease, electrolyte imbalance/dehydration or other reversible causes.
• Active infection or sepsis as evidenced by increased white blood cell count, elevated CRP (C-Reactive Protein) or temperature > 38.5°C.
• Known or documented carotid stenosis > 80%
• Stroke or transient ischemic attack within the previous 6 months.
• Known or documented epilepsy.
• Pregnancy or child-bearing potential without adequate contraception.
• Circumstances that prevent follow-ups.
• Drug abuse.
• Patients cannot be enrolled in another clinical study