Abstract: AIM To explore the relationship between red cell distribution width and the recurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). METHODSBetween January 2013 and December 2014, baseline data were collected in 105 PAF patients along with recurrent problems. Patients were grouped according to recurrence or not. Differences in baseline data, laboratory examination indexes and echocardiographic measurements were compared between groups. Logistic regression analysis difference index was evaluated for prediction of recurrence after ablation. RESULTSThere were no significant differences in baseline data. RDW% in recurrent group was significantly higher than in the non-recurrent group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that RDW was an independent predictor for AF recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation. After categorization based on median of RDW(%), we found that the rate of recurrence in Q2 was statistically different than Q1 (P<0.05). Using a cut-off point of 13.25, the preoperative level correlated with the incidence of AF with a sensitivity of 64% and specificity of 67%. CONCLUSIONRDW is an independent predictor for the recurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation.