Health-related quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing pulmonary vein isolation, before and after treatment
Received 18 December 2008; received in revised form 1 June 2009; accepted 18 September 2009. published online 15 October 2009.
Abstract
Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and many AF patients experience a significantly impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). AF is also associated with a high risk of stroke and death. Many pharmacologic treatments for AF are ineffective and may have adverse effects. New methods, such as pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), have been developed to treat AF.
Aims
The aim of this study was to investigate the HRQOL issues in severe symptomatic AF patients before and after pulmonary vein isolation.
Methods
Forty patients treated with PVI were included of which 36 concluded the study with the self-reported HRQOL questionnaires before and once after PVI. A standardized control group was used.
Results
Compared to the control group the HRQOL before PVI was significantly lower in all domains except for bodily pain. The preoperative scores were compared with the scores obtained at the follow-up. All subscales of the SF-36 significantly improved after the PVI except for bodily pain, which remained unaltered.
Conclusion
HRQOL is improved in AF patients with severe symptoms after PVI intervention.
aDepartment of Cardiology Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
bRed Cross University College, Stockholm, Sweden and Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
cSophiahemmet University College, Stockholm, Sweden and Department of Public Health Sciences and Department of Clinical Sciences Danderyds Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
dDepartment of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
Corresponding author. Dept of Cardiology, Karolinska University Hospital, SE- 141 86 Stockholm Sweden. Tel.: +46 8 585 82854; fax: +46 8 585 86780.
ABSTRACT