Atrial Deganglionation as a Therapy for Cardiac Surgery Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Inclusion Criteria: * Age is between 18 and 70 years. * Scheduled for open-chest cardiothoracic surgery, for coronary artery bypass grafting and/or aortic valve repair/replacement * Have a documented medical history of paroxysmal or early-stage persistent atrial fibrillation within the previous 12 months. * 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 endocardial or epicardial pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), or any other invasive AF therapy * Previous or existing pericarditis * Use of amiodarone within the previous 12 months. * Long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation * Indication for mitral or tricuspid valve surgery * 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 * New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV heart failure symptoms * Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) \< 40%, measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) * Left atrial diameter \> 5.0 cm, measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) * The presence of left atrial thrombus when examined by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) * The presence of atrial fibrillation (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 C-reactive protein (CRP) 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