16-08: Quality of life in patients after radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins

Purpose of the study: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of the arrhythmia. The presence of paroxysmal AF in patients (pts) significantly reduces their quality of life (QoL), causes an anxiety syndrome and depression. The main non-drug treatment for AF is operation of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the pulmonary veins (PV). The objective of the study was to investigate the dynamics of the QoL, evidence of anxiety and depression in pts with AF after RFA of PV.

Method used: The study included 64 pts (mean age 56.3 ± 8,9 years), who underwent surgery RFA of PV. All pts immediately after RFA and 3 months of follow up were examined by cardiologist, passed the survey by questionnaire: “Quality of Life”, “Anxiety and Depression (HADS)”. The pts were on stable therapy and constantly taking anticoagulants and antiarrhythmic drugs.

Summary of results: During follow up period recurrence of AF, required repeated RFA occurred in 3 pts. At baseline, pts had a decrease in QoL (average score of −5,1 ± 4,8), but after 3 months of observation there was a slight improvement in this indicator (average score of −4 ± 4,6, p <0.05 to the initial value). We have revealed some dependence on the duration of AF in anamnesis prior to RFA. QoL was initially higher in pts with AF lasting up to 3 years. Three months after RFA the improvement in the QoL have been noted in these pts by 23%, in pts with a history of AF for more than 3 years by 15.4%. Also at the baseline pts reported symptoms of anxiety in 44% and depression in 17% of cases. After three months of observation the symptoms of anxiety and depression remained approximately at the same level (48% and 15% respectively, p > 0.05 to the initial value).

Conclusion: It was shown that three months after non-drug treatment of AF by RFA pts to maintain a sense of anxiety and depression, slight improvement of the QoL after surgery. The findings indicate the need to involve pts with AF undergoing RFA in the program of psychological rehabilitation to improve their motor activity, develop positive attitude towards their health and a full return to the socially active life.