A Comparison of Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy and Radio Frequency Catheter Ablation in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

A Randomized Comparison of the Efficacy of Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy and Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for the Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm In Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

The purpose of this study is to compare radiofrequency catheter ablation and antiarrhythmic drug treatment for the maintenance of sinus rhythm in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years of age or older
• Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation for at least 6 months with at least 2 symptomatic episodes (patient history) during the previous month
• Atrial fibrillation (patient history or echocardiogram documented) resistant to at least one antiarrhythmic drug of Class I or III
• Documentation of at least one episode of atrial fibrillation on 12-lead echocardiogram or Holter Monitor

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications to more than 2 antiarrhythmic drugs of different classes, or to oral anticoagulants
• History of any previous ablation for atrial fibrillation
• Intracardiac thrombus
• Atrial fibrillation due to reversible cause
• Pregnancy
• Contraindication to stopping oral anticoagulation (for example as a result of a mechanical cardiac valve)