Key result
Exercise cuts AF recurrence ~50% in both sexes but reduces symptom severity only in women.
Why the study?
Exercise training reduces arrhythmia recurrence and symptom severity in symptomatic, non-permanent AF, but there is little evidence on whether this effect is modified by sex.
Does an exercise intervention reduce AF recurrence and symptom severity in men and women with symptomatic atrial fibrillation?
RCT (n=120)
randomized
Does an exercise intervention reduce AF recurrence and symptom severity in men and women with symptomatic atrial fibrillation?
Effect estimate: HR 0.52 (men); HR 0.47 (women) (95% CI 0.29-0.91 (men); 0.23-0.95 (women))
p-value: p=0.022 (men); 0.035 (women)
An exercise-based intervention reduces atrial fibrillation recurrence in both men and women, but may only improve symptom severity in women at 12 months.
Supports exercise as adjunctive AF therapy for both sexes; extends evidence on sex-specific symptom responses.
AIMS: Exercise training reduces recurrence of arrhythmia and symptom severity amongst patients with symptomatic, non-permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is little evidence on whether this effect is modified by patient sex. In a sub-analysis from the ACTIVE-AF (A Lifestyle-based, PhysiCal AcTIVity IntErvention for Patients With Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation) randomized controlled trial, we compared the effects of exercise training on AF recurrence and symptom severity between men and women. METHODS AND RESULTS: The ACTIVE-AF study randomized 120 patients (69 men, 51 women) with paroxysmal or persistent AF to receive an exercise intervention combining supervised and home-based aerobic exercise over 6 months or to continue standard medical care. Patients were followed over a 12-month period. The co-primary outcomes were recurrence of AF, off anti-arrhythmic medications and without catheter ablation, and AF symptom severity scores. By 12 months, recurrence of AF was observed in 50 (73%) men and 34 (67%) women. In an intention-to-treat analysis, there was a between-group difference in favour of the exercise group for both men [hazard ratio (HR) 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29-0.91, P = 0.022] and women (HR 0.47, 95% CI: 0.23-0.95, P = 0.035). At 12 months, symptom severity scores were lower in the exercise group compared with controls amongst women but not for men. CONCLUSION: An exercise-based intervention reduced arrhythmia recurrence for both men and women with symptomatic AF. Symptom severity was reduced with exercise in women at 12 months. No difference was observed in symptom severity for men. REGISTRATION: Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12615000734561.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Verdicchio et al. (2023) conducted an RCT in symptomatic, non-permanent atrial fibrillation (n=120). exercise intervention combining supervised and home-based aerobic exercise vs. standard medical care was evaluated on recurrence of AF, off anti-arrhythmic medications and without catheter ablation, and AF symptom severity scores (HR 0.52 (men); HR 0.47 (women), 95% CI 0.29-0.91 (men); 0.23-0.95 (women), p=0.022 (men); 0.035 (women)). An exercise intervention reduced AF recurrence for both men (HR 0.52; 95% CI 0.29-0.91) and women (HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.23-0.95), while symptom severity was reduced only in women at 12 months.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: