Heart-Focused Anxiety, General Anxiety, Depression and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Pulmonary Vein Isolation

Impact of Ablation Energy Sources on Perceived Quality of Life and Symptom in Atrial Fibrillation Patients: A Comparative Study

Background: Catheter ablation is a first-line treatment for rhythm control strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), with different energy sources available, including pulsed-field ablation (PFA), high-power short-duration radiofrequency (HPSD RF), conventional radiofrequency (RF), and cryoballoon ablation. Limited evidence exists on how different ablation techniques affect patient-reported outcomes, such as patients' quality of life (QoL) and perceived symptoms. This study aims to assess the impact of ablation energy sources on reported QoL and symptom perception after AF ablation. Methods: The study included 148 patients who underwent catheter ablation in different centers. Patients were divided into four groups according to the energy source used. Follow-up was conducted during the 6 months post-procedure. Patients were asked to complete a 20-item questionnaire evaluating quality of life, activity resumption, recovery process, perceived symptoms, and satisfaction. Comparative analyses were performed across energy groups, anesthesia types, and anesthetic drugs. Results: PFA patients reported the highest improvement in QoL scores compared to RF, HPSD RF, and cryoablation (p < 0.001). Activity resumption and symptom relief were significantly better in the PFA group compared to others (p < 0.001). Anesthesia type and anesthetic drug influenced QoL outcomes, with patients under general anesthesia showing higher QoL scores compared to deep sedation (p < 0.001). The energy source and anesthetic drug resulted in independent predictors of QoL improvement. Conclusions: Ablation energy source could impact patients' perceived QoL and symptom relief after AF ablation. PFA demonstrated superior performance scores in QoL and symptom perception compared to other techniques. Anesthetic drugs also play a role in patient-reported outcomes and activity resumption.

Quality of Life in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Pulmonary Vein Isolation: Short-Term Follow-Up Study

Background and Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL) of affected individuals. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has emerged as a therapeutic approach to manage AF and improve QoL. This study aimed to assess the QoL in patients with AF undergoing PVI. Methods and Materials: A total of 97 AF patients undergoing PVI (radiofrequency 52.6% (n = 51) and cryoablation 47.4% (n = 46)) at Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital were included in this study. QoL was measured using the 36-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36) before PVI and during a follow-up period of 5.98 ± 1.97 months. Results: This study consisted of 60.8% (n = 59) males, with a mean age of 60.06 ± 11.61 years. A total of 67.0% (n = 65) of patients had paroxysmal AF, and 33.0% (n = 32) had persistent AF. The SF-36 questionnaire revealed major improvements across multiple QoL domains post-PVI, reaching a statistical significance of p < 0.01. Patient factors, such as female gender ([estimate 21.26, 95% CI (7.18, 35.35)], p < 0.01), persistent AF ([estimate 15.49, 95% CI (2.83, 28.15)], p = 0.02), and restored sinus rhythm ([estimate 14.35, 95% CI (1.65, 27.06)], p = 0.03), were associated with significantly improved QoL. Conclusions: PVI in patients with AF positively influences various dimensions of QoL, as evidenced by significant improvement across multiple SF-36 domains. These findings emphasize worsened QoL in patients with AF and the potential benefits of PVI enhancing the overall wellbeing of individuals with AF.

Comparing the effects of pulsed and radiofrequency catheter ablation on quality of life, anxiety, and depression of patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia: a single-center, randomized, single-blind, standard-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) may lead to decreased quality of life (QOL) and increased anxiety and depression in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), possibly due to the lack of selectivity of the ablation tissue and the long ablation time. In recent years, pulsed field ablation (PFA) has been used for the first time in China to treat PSVT patients because of its ability to ablate abnormal tissue sites in a precise and transient manner. This study was conducted to compare the effects of PFA and RFCA on QOL and psychological symptoms of PSVT patients.

METHODS

We have designed a single-center, randomized, single-blind, standard-controlled trial. A total of 50 participants who met the eligibility criteria would be randomly allocated into the PFA group or RFCA group in a 1:1 ratio. All participants were assessed using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at pre-procedure (T0), post-procedure (T1), and 3 months post-procedure (T2). The SPSS 21.0 software was used to analyze the data through Wilcoxon and Fisher's exact tests and repeated measures ANOVA.

RESULTS

Twenty-five in the PFA group and 24 in the RFCA group completed the trial. SF-36: (1) Between-group comparison: At T1, PFA group had significantly higher SF-36 scores on physiological function (PF) and general health (GH) than RFCA group, with a treatment difference of 5.61 points and 18.51 points(P < 0.05). (2) Within-group comparison: We found that in the PFA and RFCA groups, T2 showed significant improvement in the remaining 6 subscales of the SF-36 scale compared to T1 and T0 (P < 0.05), except for body pain (BP) and social function (SF) scores. HADS: (1) Between-group comparison: no significant difference (P > 0.05). (2) Within-group comparison: The HADS scores of the PFA and RFCA groups were statistically significant at T2 compared to T0 and T1 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provided new and meaningful evidence that PFA was effective in significantly improving QOL and decreasing anxiety and depression in PFA patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200060272.

Depression and atrial fibrillation in a reciprocal liaison: a neuro-cardiac link

OBJECTIVE

To explore the reciprocal relationship of depression and atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS

A literature search was conducted in Pub Med, Scopus, and Google Scholar using relevant terms for depression and AF and respective therapies.

RESULTS

There is evidence that depression is involved in the aetiology and prognosis of AF. AF, independently of its type, incurs a risk of depression in 20-40% of patients. Also, depression significantly increases cumulative incidence of AF (from 1.92% to 4.44% at 10 years); 25% increased risk of new-onset AF is reported in patients with depression, reaching 32% in recurrent depression. Hence, emphasis is put on the importance of assessing depression in the evaluation of AF and vice versa. Persistent vs paroxysmal AF patients may suffer from more severe depression. Furthermore, depression can impact the effectiveness of AF treatments, including pharmacotherapy, anticoagulation, cardioversion and catheter ablation.

CONCLUSIONS

A reciprocal association of depression and AF, a neurocardiac link, has been suggested. Thus, strategies which can reduce depression may improve AF patients' course and treatment outcomes. Also, AF has a significant impact on risk of depression and quality of life. Hence, effective antiarrhythmic therapies may alleviate patients' depressive symptoms. KEY POINTSAF, independently of its type of paroxysmal, permanent or chronic, appears to have mental besides physical consequences, including depression and anxietyA reciprocal influence or bidirectional association of depression and AF, a neurocardiac link, has been suggestedAF has considerable impact on the risk of depression occurrence with 20-40% of patients with AF found to have high levels of depressionAlso, depression significantly increases 10-year cumulative incidence and risk of AF from 1.92% to 4.44% in people without depression, and the risk of new-onset AF by 25-32%Emphasis should be placed on the importance of assessing depression in the evaluation of AF and vice versaPersistent/chronic AF patients may suffer from more severe depressed mood than paroxysmal AF patients with similar symptom burdenDepression and anxiety can impact the effectiveness of certain AF treatments, including pharmacotherapy, anticoagulation treatment, cardioversion and catheter ablationThus, strategies which can reduce anxiety and depression may improve AF patients' course and treatment outcomesAlso, effective antiarrhythmic therapies to control AF may alleviate patients' depressive mood.

Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation vs Medical Therapy and Psychological Distress: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

The impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation on mental health outcomes is not well understood.

Objective

To determine whether AF catheter ablation is associated with greater improvements in markers of psychological distress compared with medical therapy alone.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The Randomized Evaluation of the Impact of Catheter Ablation on Psychological Distress in Atrial Fibrillation (REMEDIAL) study was a randomized trial of symptomatic participants conducted in 2 AF centers in Australia between June 2018 and March 2021.

Interventions

Participants were randomized to receive AF catheter ablation (n = 52) or medical therapy (n = 48).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included follow-up assessments of prevalence of severe psychological distress (HADS score >15), anxiety HADS score, depression HADS score, and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score. Arrhythmia recurrence and AF burden data were also analyzed.

Results

A total of 100 participants were randomized (mean age, 59 [12] years; 31 [32%] women; 54% with paroxysmal AF). Successful pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in all participants in the ablation group. The combined HADS score was lower in the ablation group vs the medical group at 6 months (8.2 [5.4] vs 11.9 [7.2]; P = .006) and at 12 months (7.6 [5.3] vs 11.8 [8.6]; between-group difference, -4.17 [95% CI, -7.04 to -1.31]; P = .005). Similarly, the prevalence of severe psychological distress was lower in the ablation group vs the medical therapy group at 6 months (14.2% vs 34%; P = .02) and at 12 months (10.2% vs 31.9%; P = .01), as was the anxiety HADS score at 6 months (4.7 [3.2] vs 6.4 [3.9]; P = .02) and 12 months (4.5 [3.3] vs 6.6 [4.8]; P = .02); the depression HADS score at 3 months (3.7 [2.6] vs 5.2 [4.0]; P = .047), 6 months (3.4 [2.7] vs 5.5 [3.9]; P = .004), and 12 months (3.1 [2.6] vs 5.2 [3.9]; P = .004); and the BDI-II score at 6 months (7.2 [6.1] vs 11.5 [9.0]; P = .01) and 12 months (6.6 [7.2] vs 10.9 [8.2]; P = .01). The median (IQR) AF burden in the ablation group was lower than in the medical therapy group (0% [0%-3.22%] vs 15.5% [1.0%-45.9%]; P < .001).

Conclusion and Relevance

In this trial of participants with symptomatic AF, improvement in psychological symptoms of anxiety and depression was observed with catheter ablation, but not medical therapy.

Trial Registration

ANZCTR Identifier: ACTRN12618000062224.

[Rehabilitation for atrial fibrillation : Impact on arrhythmia and cumulative risk factors]

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in cardiovascular diseases but also in hyperthyroidism. The independent risk factors (RF) that are cumulatively the cause of AF include arterial hypertension, obesity, malnutrition, alcohol and tobacco consumption, lack of exercise, diabetes mellitus, and sleep-related breathing disorders. These cause and reinforce each other and are amplified by psychosocial RF. This also leads to morphological consequences such as atrial cardiomyopathy or diastolic heart failure (HFpEF). Therapy focuses on stroke prophylaxis through anticoagulation and rhythm or frequency control of the AF.

AIM

The risk factors of AF are presented here in detail. RF control must be included in the management of AF. Effective risk management should definitely include the patient's lifestyle.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Although RF management can be integrated into the acute medical and outpatient treatment of AF, there is little scope to deal with the individual risk profile of individual patients. With the bio-psycho-social treatment approach, cardiological rehabilitation offers the opportunity to establish individual, lifestyle-oriented risk management and to achieve symptomatic improvement, decreased AF burden, better performance, and a better quality of life through correctly dosed training. Further studies to clarify the question of whether clinical endpoints such as hospitalization or morbidity and mortality are reduced by cardiac rehabilitation in AF are desirable.

Psychiatric symptoms in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the leading causes of hospitalization and even death worldwide. Complex bidirectional associations have been suggested between psychiatric disorders and AF disease. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in a cohort of Egyptian population presented with symptomatic non-valvular AF (NVAF) and to identify the high-risk subjects in need for professional psychiatric consultation. A total of 100 eligible symptomatic NVAF patients were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Each patient was subjected to: (1) cardiac evaluation included electrocardiogram, trans-esophageal echocardiography, and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA). (2) Psychiatric evaluation consisted of clinical psychiatric interviewing, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS), Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE), type-D personality screening, and the short form-36 (SF-36) health survey for the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Results

Forty-four percent of our enrolled AF patients had anxiety symptoms, 32% had depressive symptoms, 24% had mild cognitive impairment, and 32% had type-D personality. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that the left atrial dimension (LAD) and the age were the main significant predictors of MMSE, while the main predictors of HADS were SF-36 (physical functioning and general health) and the age. Neither psychiatric symptoms, nor type-D personality was a significant predictor for the evaluated cardiac parameters.

Conclusions

Mild cognitive impairment as well as depressive and anxiety symptoms is not uncommon associates with NVAF patients. Assessment of cognitive function and HRQoL is strongly advised for AF patients presented with enlarged LAD particularly among old adults.