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Left atrial (LA) function can help predict various cardiovascular events. Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) modifies baseline LA function through the maintenance of sinus rhythm and myocardial injury. We investigated the impact of post-ablation LA function on recurrence of AF after ablation and identified the predictors of reduced post-ablation LA function. A total of 616 patients who underwent AF ablation (paroxysmal, N = 310; non-paroxysmal, N = 306) were retrospectively examined with cardiac computed tomography at baseline and 3 months after the final ablation procedure. Post-ablation LA emptying fraction (LAEF post ) was calculated. We evaluated the association between LAEF post and recurrence of AF after the final ablation procedure. Further, we assessed the predictors of reduced LAEF post . The recurrence rate of AF was 72.7% after the final ablation procedure [median follow-up 48 months (48.0, 48.0), total number of ablation sessions: 1.4 ± 0.7]. Multivariate analysis revealed that LAEF post was associated with the recurrence of AF (hazard ratio/10% increase: 0.62, 95% confidence interval: 0.51-0.75, P < 0.0001). LAEF post had a mild predictive power for recurrence of AF (c-statistics: 0.670, optimal cutoff: 26.36%, P < 0.0001). The recurrence-free proportion among patients with reduced LAEF post (< 26.36%, N = 100) and those with preserved LAEF post (≥ 26.36%, N = 516) was 40% and 79%, respectively (P < 0.0001). The predictors of reduced LAEF post were low pre-ablation LAEF, high pre-ablation LA volume, low body mass index (BMI), and female sex. Further, reduced LAEF post was associated with the total number of ablation sessions and extra-pulmonary vein LA ablation. In conclusion, reduced LAEF post was associated with recurrence of AF after ablation. Advanced LA remodeling, low BMI, and female sex could predict reduced LAEF post . Although additional ablation was associated with reduced LAEF post , it remains unclear whether reduced LAEF post resulted from the additional ablation. Reduced LAEF post might help stratify patients with ablation-refractory AF., (© 2021. Springer Japan KK, part of Springer Nature.)