Inclusion Criteria:
IC 1 Male or female between the ages of 18 - 80 years
IC 2 Currently scheduled for an ablation of symptomatic persistent (\> 7 days) atrial fibrillation within the past year documented by ECG or Continuous Holter monitoring
IC 3 Refractory to at least one class I or III AAD. (Refractory defined as not effective or not tolerated)
IC 4 Willingness, ability, and commitment to participate in baseline and follow-up evaluations for the full length of the study
IC 5 Willingness and ability to give an informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
EC 1 In the opinion of the Investigator, any known contraindication to an atrial ablation, TEE, or anticoagulation. Including but not limited to the identification of any atrial thrombus or evidence of sepsis
EC 2 Continuous AF lasting longer than 12-months
EC 3 History of previous left atrial ablation or surgical treatment for AF/AFL/AT
EC 4 AF secondary to electrolyte imbalance, active thyroid disease, or any other reversible or non-cardiac cause
EC 5 Structural heart disease as described below:
1. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 40% based on most recent TTE
2. Left atrial size \> 55 mm (parasternal long axis view) documented within 6-months of screening
3. NYHA Class III or IV heart failure documented within the previous 12-months
4. An implanted pacemaker or ICD
5. Previous cardiac surgery, ventriculotomy, or atriotomy (excluding atriotomy for CABG),
6. Previous cardiac valvular surgical or percutaneous procedure, or prosthetic valve
7. Interatrial baffle, closure device, patch, or PFO occluder
8. Presence of a left atrial appendage occlusion device
9. Presence of any pulmonary vein stenting devices
10. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or PTCA procedure within six (6) months prior to procedure
11. Unstable angina or ongoing myocardial ischemia
12. Myocardial infarction within the previous six (6) months prior to procedure
13. Moderate or severe mitral insufficiency or stenosis based on most recent TTE
14. Atrial myxoma
15. Significant congenital anomaly
EC 6 BMI \> 40
EC 7 Any previous history of cryoglobulinemia (for those patients randomized to the PFCA arm)
EC 8 History of blood clotting or bleeding disease
EC 9 History of severe COPD requiring steroid use in the previous 12-months
EC 10 History of severe sleep apnea (AHI \> 30) not currently treated with a CPAP machine or other mechanical device
EC 11 Stroke or TIA within the last year.
EC 12 Any prior history or current evidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis
EC 13 Pregnant or lactating (current or anticipated during study follow-up
EC 14 Current enrollment in any other study protocol where testing or results from that study may interfere with the procedure or outcome measurements for this study
EC 15 Any other conditions such as, mental illness, addictive disease, terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than two years, extensive travel away from the research center that may lead to non-compliance with the protocol procedure or follow up
