Randomization
persistent/permanent atrial fibrillation
This trial uses centralized randomization at Open Patient data Explorative Network (OPEN), where varying block sizes unknown to the investigators will be used. Randomization is stratified for (1) site of inclusion, (2) persistent/permanent atrial fibrillation (6 months before inclusion), and (3) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (≥ 40% or < 40%). Participants are be randomly allocated to the lenient versus the strict rate control strategy arm in an 1:1 ratio [