Inclusion Criteria:  Patients with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (EHRA symptom class II or above) Prior failed treatment with at last one antiarrhythmic drug (Class I-IV) Clinical indication for ablation  Persistent atrial fibrillation meeting both the following requirements:  One or more episodes of atrial fibrillation lasting longer than seven days, regardless of mode of termination Estimated cumulated time in PeAF more than 3 months and less than 36 months  Exclusion Criteria:  Contraindication for ablation Predominantly PAF phenotype Valvular Heart disease Previous ablation in heart Previous heart surgery (including valve surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting - CABG) Documented atrial flutter or other arrhythmia requiring ablation besides PVI Greatly enlarged left atrium on Trans thoracic Echocardiography (TTE ; diameter > 52 mm in males and diameter > 47 mm in females) LVEF < 35% Implanted pacemaker or defibrillator Presence of intramural thombus, tumor or other abnormality precluding catheter introduction Pregnancy Intolerance to Amiodarone Unstable angina pectoris Myocardial infarction within 3 months of inclusion History of blood clotting or bleeding anomalies Malignant disease (non metastatic skin cancer excluded) Severe obesity (Mody mass index > 35 kg/m^2) Active systemic infection Renal insufficiency (serum creatinine > 150 mmoles/liter) Psychiatric illness Substance abuse Participation in other clinical trials