Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: A Randomized Comparison of the Efficacy of Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy and Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for the Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm In Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to compare radiofrequency catheter ablation and antiarrhythmic drug treatment for the maintenance of sinus rhythm in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients.


Options:
A: You may be eligible to participate in this study if you: Have failed to respond to drug treatment for your AFib, or find the side effects of your medication intolerable.

Inclusion Criteria

* Patients with symptomatic PAF who have had three (3) AF episodes in the six (6) months prior to randomization, one of which must be documented. Documentation may include electrocardiogram (ECG), transtelephonic monitor (TTM), Holter monitor (HM), or telemetry strip.
* Failure of at least one AAD for PAF \[class I or III or AV nodal blocking agents such as beta blockers (BB) and calcium channel blockers (CCB)\] as evidenced by recurrent symptomatic PAF, or intolerable side effects due to AAD.
* Signed Patient Informed Consent Form.
* Age 18 years or older.
* Able and willing to comply with all pre-, post- and follow-up testing and requirements.

Exclusion Criteria

* Atrial fibrillation secondary to electrolyte imbalance, thyroid disease, or reversible or non-cardiac cause.
* Previous ablation for atrial fibrillation.
* Patients on amiodarone therapy at any time during the previous six (6) months.
* AF episodes that last longer than 30 days and are terminated via cardioversion.
* Any valvular cardiac surgical procedure.
* CABG procedure within the last 180 days (six months).
* Awaiting cardiac transplantation or other cardiac surgery within the next 360 days (12 months).
* Documented left atrial thrombus on imaging (e.g. TEE).
* History of a documented thromboembolic event within the past one (1) year.
* Diagnosed atrial myxoma.
* Presence of implanted ICD.
* Significant pulmonary disease, (e.g. restrictive pulmonary disease, constrictive or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or any other disease or malfunction of the lungs or respiratory system that produces chronic symptoms.
* Significant congenital anomaly or medical problem that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude enrollment in this study.
* Women who are pregnant (by history of menstrual period or pregnancy test if the history is considered unreliable).
* Acute illness or active systemic infection or sepsis.
* Unstable angina.
* Myocardial infarction within the previous 60 days (two months).
* LVEF \< 40%.
* History of blood clotting or bleeding abnormalities.
* Contraindication to anticoagulation (i.e. heparin or warfarin).
* Contraindication to CT/MRA procedure.
* Life expectancy less than 360 days (12 months).
* Enrollment in an investigational study evaluating another device or drug.
* Uncontrolled heart failure or NYHA class III or IV heart failure.
* Presence of intramural thrombus, tumor or other abnormality that precludes catheter introduction or manipulation.
* Presence of a condition that precludes vascular access.
* Left atrial size ≥ 50 mm
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (more than 7 days, or less than 7 days needing pharmacologic or electric cardioversion)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hypo or hyperthyroidism
* Persistent atrial fibrillation lasting more than 1 year or non-defined duration
* Hypertrophic myocardiopathy
* Implantable defibrillation or pacemaker implanted
* Moderate or severe mitral valve disease or mitral prosthetic valve
* Ejection fraction less than 30%
* Left atrial anteroposterior diameter more than 50 mm.
* Previous atrial fibrillation ablation
* Contraindication to anticoagulation
* Left atrium thrombus
* Current infective disease or sepsis
* Pregnant women
* Current unstable angor
* Acute myocardial infarction in last 3 months
* Atrial fibrillation secondary to ionic disturbance, thyroids disease or secondary to any other reversible or non cardiovascular disease
* Reduced expectancy of life (less than 12 months)
* Patient participating in another clinical study that investigates a drug or device
* Psychologically unstable patient or denies to give informed consent
* Any cause that contraindicate ablation procedure or antiarrhythmic drug
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* Age more than 18 years
* Paroxysmal AF for at least 6 months with at least 3 symptomatic episodes (using patient history) during the previous 6 months
* Patients must be felt to be candidates for AF ablation based on AF that is symptomatic and refractory or intolerant to at least one class 1 or 3 antiarrhythmic agent.
* Documentation of at least one episode of AF on 12 lead ECG, TTM or Holter monitor within 12 months of randomization in the trial
* Patients must be on continuous anticoagulation with warfarin (INR 2-3) or fractionated subcutaneous heparin for \>4 weeks prior to the ablation or they have undergone a recent (less than 48 hours before planned ablation) transoesophageal echocardiogram to exclude left atrial thrombus.
* Patients must provide written informed consent to participate in the clinical trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindications to oral anticoagulants
* History of any previous ablation or surgical maze for AF
* Intracardiac thrombus
* AF due to reversible cause
* Patients with left atrial size \> 55mm or significant mitral valve disease (moderate or severe mitral stenosis or regurgitation)
* Pregnancy
* Asthma, history of bronchospasm or known adverse reaction to adenosine
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years of age or older
* Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation for at least 6 months with at least 2 symptomatic episodes (patient history) during the previous month
* Atrial fibrillation (patient history or echocardiogram documented) resistant to at least one antiarrhythmic drug of Class I or III
* Documentation of at least one episode of atrial fibrillation on 12-lead echocardiogram or Holter Monitor

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindications to more than 2 antiarrhythmic drugs of different classes, or to oral anticoagulants
* History of any previous ablation for atrial fibrillation
* Intracardiac thrombus
* Atrial fibrillation due to reversible cause
* Pregnancy
* Contraindication to stopping oral anticoagulation (for example as a result of a mechanical cardiac valve)

Answer: D