Background HATCH score is an established predictor of progression from paroxysmal to persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to determine if HATCH score could predict recurrence after catheter ablation of AF. Methods The data of 488 consecutive paroxysmal AF patients who underwent an index circumferential pulmonary veins (PV) ablation were retrospectively analyzed. Of these patients, 250 (51.2%) patients had HATCH score=0, 185 (37.9%) patients had HATCH score=1, and 53 (10.9%) patients had HATCH score >= 2 (28 patients had HATCH score=2, 23 patients had HATCH score=3, and 2 patients had HATCH score=4). Results The patients with HATCH score >= 2 had significantly larger left atrium size, the largest left ventricular end systolic diameter, and the lowest ejection fraction. After a mean follow-up of (823 +/- 532) days, the recurrence rates were 36.4%, 37.8% and 28.3% from the HATCH score=0, HATCH score=1 to HATCH score >= 2 categories (P=0.498). Univariate analysis revealed that left atrium size, body mass index, and failure of PV isolation were predictors of AF recurrence. After adjustment for body mass index, left atrial size and PV isolation, the HATCH score was not an independent predictor of recurrence (HR=0.92, 95% confidence interval=0.76-1.12, P=0.406) in multivariate analysis. Conclusion HATCH score has no value in prediction of AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Chin Med J 2012;125(19):3425-3429