Researchers hope to learn whether a new catheter system is safe and effective in the treatment of atrial fibrillation when compared to medication.  The catheter system has been tested in Europe to date and has been used to treat over 300 patients with atrial fibrillation.

What Does the Study Involve?

Patients who are enrolled in the study will be randomly assigned to the ablation treatment or to medication management.  If you are placed in the control group (medication only) and your arrhythmia returns, you may have the option of crossing over to the experimental group after 180 days.
 
The study will require an initial medical history, physical examination, blood testing and cardiac diagnostic procedures. All patients will need to transmit weekly transtelephonic monitoring, a form of monitoring with transmissions over the phone line, during the 12 month period. Patients are followed in clinic for 12 months.
 
To qualify for this study a patient must meet the following criteria:

• Have documented PAF
• Between 18 and 75 years of age
• Have documented failure of at least one major atrial fibrillation drug
• Willing to comply with treatment group assignment
• Willing to send transtelephonic monitoring for 12 months