Objective To compare the effect of monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation and concomitant rheumatic heart disease. Methods The clinical data of 261 patients who underwent valve replacement and radiofrequency Maze Ⅲ procedure in Shanghai First People's Hospital from 2010 to 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the radiofrequency ablation system, patients were assigned to a monopolar radiofrequency ablation group (n=209, 129 males, 80 females, aged 59.6±9.7 years) and a bipolar radiofrequency ablation group (n=52, 36 males, 16 females, aged 58.6±11.2 years). After procedures, clinical factors such as patients' basic information, perioperative complication and mortality, the elimination rate of atrial fibrillation were measured. Results There was no statistic difference in perioperative morbidity and mortality between two groups. The ablation time of the monopolar radiofrequency ablation group was longer than that of the bipolar group (29.7±3.3 minvs. 22.3±7.8 min,P=0.035). Postoperative diameter of left atrium was reduced in both groups. Compared with the monopolar radiofrequency ablation group, bipolar group had a better elimination rate of atrial fibrillation at three months and one year follow-up (82.0%vs. 66.3%,P=0.037; 80.0%vs. 59.6%,P=0.008). Conclusion Valve replacement combined with radiofrequency Maze Ⅲ procedure is safe and efficient. Compared with monopolar radiofrequency ablation, bipolar radiofrequency ablation has advantage on elimination rate of atrial fibrillation, ablation time and cardiopulmonary bypass time.