Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years to 80 years * Clinical diagnosis of CHF based on symptoms (Shortness of breath, fatigue, peripheral edema) * Systolic left ventricular dysfunction with ejection fraction 40% or less * NYHA Class I, II or III heart failure * Paroxysmal AF(2 or more episodes in one month) that terminate within 7 days:or persistent AF (more than 7 days or less than 7 days but terminated with pharmacologic or electrical cardioversion). * Willing and able to sign informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Previous ablation * Left atrial size greater than 60mm(parasternal view on transthoracic echocardiogram) * AF episodes triggered by another uniform arrhythmia(e.g.atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia) * Active alcohol or drug abuse, which may be causative of AF * Severe valvular disease requiring surgical repair * Myocardial infarction within 6 months of enrollment * Abnormality that prevents catheter introduction * Coronary surgical revascularization or other cardiac surgery within 6 months of enrollment * Patients in whom heart transplant expected with 6 months * AF deemed secondary to a transient or correctable cause (e.g.electrolyte imbalance ,trauma,recent surgery,,infection, toxic ingestion or endocrinopathy * Pregnancy or women of child bearing potential \& not on reliable method of birth control * Contraindication to Warfarin therapy or other bleeding diathesis * Participation in another clinical trial * Inaccessable to follow-up * Life expectancy of less than 24 months caused by reasons other than heart disease * Renal failure requiring dialysis * Decompensated CHF within 48 Hours of enrollment * Second or third degree AV block or sinus pause greater than 3 seconds, resting heart rate less 30 bpm without a permanent pacemaker * A history of drug induced Torsades de Pointes or congenital long QT syndrome * Currently responding to antiarrhythmic drug therapy * Uninterrupted AF for more than 12 months prior to randomization unless sinus rhythm maintained for 24 hours or longer. * Unwilling or unable to sign informed consent