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Vanharen Y, Abugattas de Torres JP, Adriaenssens B, Convens C, Schwagten B, Tijskens M, Wolf M, Goossens E, Van Bogaert P, de Greef Y. Nurse-led care after ablation of atrial fibrillation: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2023; 30:1599-1607. [PMID: 37067048 DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwad117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The added value of advanced practitioner nurse (APN) care after ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. The present study investigates the impact of APN-led care on AF recurrence, patient knowledge, lifestyle, and patient satisfaction. METHODS AND RESULTS Sixty-five patients undergoing AF ablation were prospectively randomized to usual care (N = 33) or intervention (N = 32) group. In addition to usual care, the intervention consisted of an educational session, three consultations spread over 6 months and telephone accessibility coordinated by the APN. Primary outcome was the AF recurrence rate at 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were lifestyle factors (alcohol intake, exercise, BMI, smoking), patient satisfaction and AF knowledge measured at 1 and 6 months between groups and within each group. Study demographics at 1 month were similar, except AF knowledge was higher in the intervention group (8.6 vs. 7, P = 0.001). At 6 months, AF recurrence was significantly lower in the intervention group (13.5 vs. 39.4%, P = 0.014). Between groups, patient satisfaction and AF knowledge were significantly higher in the intervention group, respectively, 9.4 vs. 8.7 (P < 0.001) and 8.6 vs. 7.0 out of 10 (P < 0.001). Within the intervention group, alcohol intake decreased from 3.9 to 2.6 units per week (P = 0.031) and physical activity increased from 224.4 ± 210.7 to 283.8 ± 169.3 (P = 0.048). No changes occurred within the usual care group. Assignment to the intervention group was the only protective factor for AF recurrence [Exp(B) 0.299, P = 0.04] in multivariable-adjusted analysis. CONCLUSION Adding APN-led care after ablation of AF improves short-term clinical outcome, patient satisfaction and physical activity and decreases alcohol intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaël Vanharen
- Department of Cardiology, ZNA Heart Centre, Lindendreef 1, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Antwerpen 2610, Belgium
| | | | - Bert Adriaenssens
- Department of Cardiology, ZNA Heart Centre, Lindendreef 1, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
- Department of Cardiology, AZ Sint-Niklaas, Moerlandstraat 1, 9100 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
| | - Carl Convens
- Department of Cardiology, ZNA Heart Centre, Lindendreef 1, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Bruno Schwagten
- Department of Cardiology, ZNA Heart Centre, Lindendreef 1, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Maxime Tijskens
- Department of Cardiology, ZNA Heart Centre, Lindendreef 1, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Michael Wolf
- Department of Cardiology, ZNA Heart Centre, Lindendreef 1, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Eva Goossens
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Antwerpen 2610, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Patient Care, Antwerp University Hospital, Drie Eikenstraat 655, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Peter Van Bogaert
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Antwerpen 2610, Belgium
| | - Yves de Greef
- Department of Cardiology, ZNA Heart Centre, Lindendreef 1, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
- Heart Rhythm Management Centre, University Hospital Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Jette, Belgium
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Atrial Fibrillation: Is Rhythm Control Required, and If So, How, and What Is the Internist's Role? Am J Med 2022; 135:939-944. [PMID: 35367447 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation-no primary care physician can escape it! Atrial fibrillation is the most common tachyarrhythmia encountered in clinical practice-whether family practice, internal medicine, cardiology, pulmonology medicine, etc. Moreover, with growth of the older segment of our population and better survival of patients with cardiovascular disorders, the incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation are both increasing progressively. Currently, a review of major guidelines shows that the treatment approach to atrial fibrillation involves 4 "pillars"-treatment of contributory comorbidities ("upstream therapy"), control of the ventricular response to the rapid atrial rates during atrial fibrillation, prevention of thromboembolism with oral anticoagulation or left atrial appendage occlusion (except in the minority of patients at too low a thromboembolic risk), and rhythm control in those patients who require it. The latter is the most complex of the 4, and many, if not most, primary care physicians currently prefer to leave this "pillar" to the care of a cardiologist or electrophysiologist. Nonetheless, it is important for the primary care physician to be familiar with the rhythm treatment components and choices (both overall and, specifically, the ones in which they must participate) as they will impact many interactions with their patients in multiple ways. This review details for the primary care physician the components of care regarding rhythm control of atrial fibrillation and the areas in which the primary care physician/internist must be knowledgeable and proactively involved.
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