Open AccessPredictors of improvement in arrhythmia‐specific symptoms and health‐related quality of life after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation
Author(s) -
Barmano Neshro,
Charitakis Emmanouil,
Karlsson JanErik,
Nystrom Fredrik H.,
Walfridsson Håkan,
Walfridsson Ulla
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.23134
Subject(s) - medicine , atrial fibrillation , catheter ablation , quality of life (healthcare) , anxiety , depression (economics) , cardiology , radiofrequency ablation , diabetes mellitus , heart failure , atrial tachycardia , hospital anxiety and depression scale , ablation , psychiatry , nursing , economics , macroeconomics , endocrinology
Background The primary goal of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is to improve symptoms and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). However, most studies have focused on predictors of AF recurrence rather than on predictors of improvement in symptoms and HRQoL. Hypothesis We sought to explore predictors of improvement in arrhythmia‐specific symptoms and HRQoL after RFA of AF, and to evaluate the effects on symptoms, HRQoL, anxiety, and depression. Methods We studied 192 patients undergoing their first RFA of AF. The Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36), arrhythmia‐specific questionnaire in tachycardia and arrhythmia (ASTA), and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) questionnaires were filled out at baseline, at 4 months, and at a 1‐year follow‐up. Results All questionnaire scale scores improved significantly over time. In the ASTA symptom scale score, female gender and > 10 AF episodes the month before RFA were significant positive predictors of improvement, while diabetes and AF recurrence within 12 months after RFA were significant negative predictors ( R 2 = 0.18; P < 0.001). In the ASTA HRQoL scale score, the presence of heart failure and > 10 AF episodes the month before RFA were significant positive predictors of improvement, while diabetes, maximum left atrial volume and AF recurrence were significant negative predictors ( R 2 = 0.20; P < 0.001). Conclusion Left atrial volume, gender, diabetes, heart failure, the frequency of AF attacks prior to RFA, and recurrence of AF after RFA were significant factors affecting improvement in symptoms and HRQoL after RFA of AF. Future studies are warranted to confirm these findings.