Both segmental, ostial and circumferential, extra-ostial pulmonary vein (PV) isolation have been proven effective in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.~In this study with symptomativ paroxystic or persistent AF were randomised to one of the above mentioned ablation methods. Each patient was allowed a maximum of two ablation procedures. Holter monitoring for 14-days periods will be performed at 3 months after ablation. The patiens are seen at out-patient visits at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the ablation procedure.~Primary endpoints were recurrent AF and recurrence of left atrium-PV conduction.~Secondary endpoints were:~safety~resumption of LA-PV conduction~alterations in neurohormones~socio-economics aspects(cost effectiveness)~changes in inflammatory markers~quality of life~alterations in signal averaged P wawe signals~evaluation of the predictive value of these variables to predict recurrence of AF
Both segmental, ostial and circumferential, extra-ostial pulmonary vein (PV) isolation have been proven effective in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.~In this study patients with symptomatic paroxystic or persistent AF were randomised to one of the above mentioned ablation methods. The primary endpoints were recurrent AF and recurrence of left atrium-PV conduction.