Comparison of CTI Ablation Prior to or After LA Ablation for AF

Randomized, Single-blind, Comparative Trial of Two AF Ablation Strategies (CTI Ablation Prior to LA Ablation Versus CTI After LA Ablation) to Eliminate Persistent AF

This study is designed to determine if CTI prior to CPVA/PVI/Linear Lesions/Fractionation results in reduced left atrial ablation lesion sets prior to restoration of sinus rhythm in patients with long standing persistent atrial fibrillation in the absence of antiarrhythmic drug therapy compared to CTI after CPVA/PVI/Linear Lesions/Fractionation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• continuous/persistent atrial fibrillation

Exclusion Criteria:

• age<18
• congenital heart disease
• pacemaker or ICD implant
• previous ablation