Bi-atrial Versus Left Atrial Ablation for Patients With Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease and Non-paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

This study compares two surgical techniques for treating persistent atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm) in patients who also need heart valve surgery for rheumatic mitral valve disease. It compares ablating both heart chambers versus the left chamber only. **You may be eligible if...** - You are 18 or older - You have persistent or long-standing atrial fibrillation (lasting more than 7 days, or more than 1 year) - You have rheumatic mitral valve disease that requires surgery - You agree to undergo surgical ablation (a procedure during heart surgery to correct the irregular rhythm) **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have paroxysmal (intermittent, self-terminating) atrial fibrillation - Your mitral valve disease is caused by degeneration or heart disease, not rheumatic disease - You have signs of active infection - You have had prior heart surgery that would make this operation too risky Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.