ABL01: CATHETER ISOLATION OF THE PULMONARY VEINS IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Atrial fibrillation (AF) significantly impairs the quality of life (QoL). Radiofrequency catheter isolation of the pulmonary veins (PVs) has been reported to be an effective treatment of patients with AF, however limited information exists regarding the effect on QoL. The aim of the study was to prospectively determine the change in QoL, symptom burden, and activity of daily living (ADL) in patients with AF following catheter isolation of the PVs.

A total of 100 consecutive patients (age 56±10; 71 males) with paroxysmal (n=51) or persistent (n=49) AF were included in the study. The QoL, the symptoms, and the ADL were measured using the SF-36 scale, the symptom frequency checklist (SFC), and the ADL scale, respectively. The questionnaires were administered before ablation, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months follow up. The mean follow-up time was 9±4 months.

The success rate was 48%, defined as no recurrent AF and no antiarrhythmic medication, following an average of 1,7 ablation procedures. Compared to a healthy population, the study group demonstrated significantly lower scores in the mean SF-36 physical (PCS: 35±13 versus 47±10, p<0.001), and mental (MCS: 47±11 versus 55±9, p<0.001) component summary scales.

Compared to baseline, the mean PCS and MCS significantly improved 3 months after the ablation, and remained unchanged during the entire follow up period, (averaged PCS= 45±13 (p<0.001), and MCS= 54±8 (p<0.001), with no significant difference from a healthy population. Using the SFC, PV isolation resulted in a significant reduction in 14 of 16 items in the symptom frequency (p<0.05), and severity (p<0.05) score. According to the ADL questionnaire, an improved performance was seen in 11 of the 13 items (p<0.01).

PV isolation significantly improves the QoL in patients with AF, reaching the level of a healthy population. Besides, significant improvement was seen according to the symptom burden and ADL score.