Fig. 3From: Hybrid thoracoscopic surgical and transvenous catheter ablation versus transvenous catheter ablation in persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (HARTCAP-AF): study protocol for a randomized trialStudy flow chart. *A decision for a second ablation > 6 months after the index procedure, and a third ablation at any time are considered a failure. **A second procedure is always considered a failure. The primary endpoint is set at 12 months after the predefined ablation procedure(s). QOL quality of lifeBack to article page