Aim To investigate the effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation on glomerular filtration rate in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation(AF). Methods A prospective study was conducted in 121 patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent radiofrequency ablation, including 105 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and 16 patients with persistent AF. Enzyme assay was applied to measure serum creatinine, eGFR was calculated by using CKD-EPI equation, all patients underwent radiofrequency ablation(circumferential pulmonary vein isolation+ablation), eGFR, hemoglobin, high sensitive C-reactive protein, N-terminal natriuretic peptide were assessed preoperatively, left atrial diameter, left atrial area and left ventricular ejection fraction were measured by echocardiography. All the data were followed 6 and 12 months after operation, and the effect of sinus rhythm after radiofrequency catheter ablation on eGFR in patients with atrial fibrillation was analyzed statistically. Results There was no statistical difference in age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and salt (P＞0.05), while there was statistical difference in AF time (P＜0.05) between the two groups. Compared with preoperative baseline, left atrial diameter and left atrial area decreased, left ventricular ejection fraction increased, hemoglobin, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, N-terminal natriuretic peptide decreased, eGFR increased (P＜0.05) in two groups 6 and 12 months after radiofrequency catheter ablation. Compared with preoperative baseline, left atrial diameter and left atrial area decreased, left ventricular ejection fraction increased, hemoglobin, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, N-terminal natriuretic peptide decreased, eGFR increased (P＜0.05) in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation group 6 and 12 months after radiofrequency catheter ablation. Compared with preoperative baseline, left atrial diameter and left atrial area decreased, left ventricular ejection fraction increased, hemoglobin, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, N-terminal natriuretic peptide decreased, eGFR increased in persistent AF group 6 and 12 months after radiofrequency catheter ablation. The differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05). Conclusion Radiofrequency ablation of sinus rhythm can improve the glomerular filtration rate and the renal function in patients with atrial fibrillation.