Objective To compare the clinical outcomes of segmental pulmonary veins isolation (SPVI) and circumferential pulmonary veins ablation (CPVA) for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Methods Sixty-eight patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation from January 2004 to April 2008 were divided into SPVI group (30 cases) and CPVA group (38 cases).The mean procedure time,the mean fluoroscopy time and relapse rate were compared. Results The mean procedure time in CPVA and SPVI group had no significant difference [(171.0 ± 25.8) min vs (168.2 ± 21.7) min, P = 0.579], but the mean fluoroscopy time in CPVA group [(38.5 ± 8.4) min]was less than that in SPVI group [(45.8 ± 16.1) min (P= 0.019). Mean term of the follow up was (17.1 ± 7.8) months. Relapse rate in CPVA group was less than that in SPVI group (5.3% vs 23.3%, P= 0.029). Both groups had no severe complications. Conclusion In patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, CPVA strategy provides a more favourable clinical outcomes and less fluoroscopy time.