The aim of this study was to determine the effect of early patient activated cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) using the atrial defibrillator on recurrence of AF. Fifteen patients, mean age 63 ± 14 years, 80% men, with drug‐resistant persistent AF were implanted with the Jewel AF atrial defibrillator. All patients performed self‐administered cardioversion for AF recurrences. Over a 2 year follow‐up, 238 patient‐activated cardioversions were performed in 14 patients. Sinus rhythm was restored on every occasion with 96% of episodes terminating with a single shock. The median time from AF onset to patient awareness of symptoms was 2.5 hours. The median time from onset of symptoms to cardioversion was 3.5 hours. Comparison of the first and second six month period following implant showed a nonsignificant increase in mean total AF duration (75.7 ± 107.8 hours vs 146.6 ± 194.1 hours, P = 0.28). Two patients (13%) had a decreasing frequency of AF recurrences. The majority continued to have regular recurrences of AF. The atrial defibrillator is an extremely effective method of restoring sinus rhythm in patients with persistent AF. Regular early use of the atrial defibrillator, increased the duration of sinus rhythm in a minority of patients during long‐term follow‐up. Most patients had regular recurrences of AF requiring patient‐activated cardioversion. (PACE 2004; 27:175–181)