Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias and has high morbidity and mortality, and has become one of the greatest challenges of Cardiology in the 21st century. At present, the effect of AF ablation on paroxysmal AF is gradually improving, but the failure of AF ablation or AF recurrence is still the most common problem affecting the efficacy of persistent AF (Pe-AF) or long-term persistent AF (LSPAF). The success rate of catheter ablation of Pe-AF or LSPAF is still less than 50%. Ablation failure not only affects the physical and mental health of patients, but also wastes our limited medical resources. Therefore, it is very important to further improve the AF ablation methods and optimize the treatment of AF to enhance the curative effect of LSPAF.

In recent years, with the rapid development of minimally invasive cardiac surgery, total thoracoscopic minimally invasive AF ablation plays an increasingly important role in the field of AF therapy because of its good transmurality, continuity, and integrity of ablation line. Hybrid ablation combined with minimally invasive surgical ablation and catheter ablation has been gradually applied to the treatment of Pe-AF or LSPAF. The autonomic nervous system plays a key role in the occurrence and maintenance of AF. Ganglion plex ablation or autonomic nerve ablation may have a good effect on curing AF.

This Special Issue will focus on: surgical methods of minimally invasive surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation (total thoracoscopic or right mini-thoractomy); hybrid ablation combined with minimally invasive surgical ablation and catheter ablation; autonomic nerve ablation during minimally invasive surgical ablation; different ablation lines of minimally invasive surgical ablation; the disposal of left atrial appendage (LAA) during minimally invasive surgical ablation; and the development of minimally invasive surgical ablation (review). Original research and review articles are welcome.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Total thoracoscopic minimally invasive surgical ablation only through left thoracotomy
• Total thoracoscopic minimally invasive surgical ablation only through bilateral thoracotomy
• Minimally invasive surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation combined mitral valve disease through right mini-thoractomy
• The clinical application of cryoablation for treating atrial fibrillation combined mitral valve disease
• Hybrid ablation combined with minimally invasive surgical ablation and catheter ablation
• Autonomic nerve ablation during minimally invasive surgical ablation
• Different ablation lines of minimally invasive surgical ablation
• The disposal of left atrial appendage (LAA) during minimally invasive surgical ablation
• Anticoagulation after LAA was resected or clipped
• The development of minimally invasive surgical ablation