Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Pilot Study

Inclusion Criteria:

• History of symptomatic permanent atrial fibrillation
• Age between 18 and 70
• Willingness, ability and commitment to participate in baseline and follow-up evaluations for the full length of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Structural heart disease of clinical significance
• Any prior ablation for atrial fibrillation
• Prior ablation for arrhythmias other than AF within the past three months
• Enrollment in any other ongoing arrhythmia study protocol
• Any ventricular tachyarrhythmias currently being treated where the arrhythmia or the management may interfere with this study
• Active infection or sepsis
• Any history of cerebral vascular disease including stroke or TIAs
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Left atrial thrombus at the time of ablation
• Untreatable allergy to contrast media
• Any diagnosis of AF secondary to electrolyte imbalance, thyroid disease, or any other reversible or non-cardiovascular causes
• History of blood clotting (bleeding or thrombotic) abnormalities
• Known sensitivities to heparin or warfarin
• Severe COPD (identified by an FEV1 < 1)
• Severe comorbidity or poor general physical/mental health that, in the opinion of the investigator, will not allow the patient to be a good study candidate (i.e. other disease processes, mental capacity, substance abuse, shortened life expectance, etc.)