1. Sustained quality-of-life improvement post-cryoballoon ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Results from the STOP-AF Post-Approval Study.
- Author
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Jain SK, Novak PG, Sangrigoli R, Champagne J, Dubuc M, Adler SW, Svinarich JT, Essebag V, Martien M, Anderson C, John RM, Mansour M, and Knight BP
- Subjects
- Aged, Atrial Fibrillation physiopathology, Atrial Fibrillation psychology, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Tachycardia, Paroxysmal physiopathology, Tachycardia, Paroxysmal psychology, Treatment Outcome, Ablation Techniques methods, Atrial Fibrillation surgery, Cryosurgery methods, Heart Conduction System physiopathology, Quality of Life, Tachycardia, Paroxysmal surgery
- Abstract
Background: Pulmonary vein isolation by catheter ablation is a class IA indication for the treatment of symptomatic, drug-refractory, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Quality of life (QoL) has been identified as a clinically meaningful endpoint but has not been comprehensively evaluated to date., Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cryoballoon ablation on long-term QoL., Methods: As part of the STOP-AF Post-Approval Study, QoL was assessed using the Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12) along with evaluation of arrhythmia-related symptoms through 36 months. A multivariate linear mixed effects regression was used to determine the association between atrial fibrillation symptoms and QoL scores, and univariate linear regressions were used to assess predictors of 36-month change in QoL scores., Results: Three hundred thirty-five subjects fully completed SF-12 forms at baseline, with 319, 308, 291, and 278 subjects completing surveys at the subsequent follow-up visits. Both physical and mental composite scores increased significantly from baseline (P <.001), and all arrhythmia symptoms significantly decreased from baseline (P <.001), with 62.0% of subjects reporting no symptoms at 6 months compared to 5.7% at baseline (P <.001). Presence of dyspnea and fatigue at baseline were univariate predictors of physical QoL improvement (P = .045 and 0.0497, respectively), whereas each year of age and each year of PAF duration were predictors of a decrease in mental QoL (P = .014 and .04, respectively)., Conclusion: Cryoballoon ablation for treatment of PAF results in a significant, and sustained, QoL improvement. The observed improvement in physical and mental health likely may be mediated by a reduction in symptom and arrhythmia burden., (Copyright © 2019 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2020
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