Aims To assess the association and the predictive value of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) with early recurrence in persistent atrial fibrillation patients after a single ablation procedure. Methods and results Two hundred and fifty-seven consecutive patients with persistent atrial fibrillation who underwent successful catheter ablation were enrolled. Early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia was documented within 3 months after ablation. The logistic regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier curve analysis were used to evaluate the association of Hcy with early recurrence. During the 3-month follow-up, 75 (29.2%) patients experienced recurrence. Patients with early recurrence were older, more likely to have larger left atrial diameter and higher CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score (all P < 0.001). Plasma Hcy levels were significantly elevated in patients with early recurrence compared with those without early recurrence (15.1 +/- 4.1 vs. 12.4 +/- 3.7 mmol/L, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, Hcy was significantly associated with early recurrence (OR 1.188, 95% CI 1.097-1.286, P < 0.001). Hcy demonstrated a predictive value with AUC of 0.688 (95% CI 0.623-0.753, P < 0.001). The optimal cut-off value was 14 mmol/L for Hcy (sensitivity 69%, specificity 59%). Patients with Hcy >= 14 mu mol/L had higher early recurrence rate compared with those with Hcy <14 mu mol/L (41 vs. 22%, P = 0.006). Conclusion Plasma Hcy levels are associated with early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia after catheter ablation in persistent atrial fibrillation patients, thus it should be taken into account in prediction of early recurrence.