Different effects of catheter ablation on exercise tolerance, leg strength, and quality of life in paroxysmal versus persistent atrial fibrillation

Figures

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  FIGURE 1. Flow chart of patient enrollment. CA, catheter ablation; PAF, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; QOL, quality of life.

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  FIGURE 2. Changes in AFQLQ score [(A) AFQLQ‐total, (B) AFQLQ‐1, (C) AFQLQ‐2, (D) AFQLQ‐3] from baseline to follow‐up. AFQLQ scores at 3 and 6 months after CA significantly improved compared with those at baseline in all subsets in the PAF and Non‐PAF groups. The effect size measured by Hedges' g showed a large effect in both groups (Hedges' g of PAF/Non‐PAF groups = 1.7/1.3 at 3 M after CA, 1.8/1.5 at 6 M after CA). AFQLQ, AF‐specific QOL questionnaire; CA, catheter ablation; PAF, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. *p < .05 versus Compared with Baseline in the Non‐PAF group, **p < .05 versus Compared with Baseline in the PAF group.

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  FIGURE 3. Changes in (A) 6MWD and (B) Knee extension force from baseline to follow‐up. The 6MWD at 6 months after CA significantly improved compared with those at baseline in both groups (Hedges' g of PAF/Non‐PAF groups = 1.1/1.1). The leg strength at 6 months after CA significantly improved compared with those at baseline in the Non‐PAF (Hedges' g = 0.5) but not in PAF group. 6MWD, 6‐minute walk distance; CA, catheter ablation; PAF, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. *p < .05 versus Compared with Baseline in the Non‐PAF group, **p < .05 versus Compared with Baseline in the PAF group.

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  FIGURE 4. Changes in BNP, HANP, LAD, and LVEF from baseline to follow‐up. The BNP (A and E) and LVEF (D and H) at 6 months after CA significantly improved compared with those at baseline in the Non‐PAF but not in PAF group. The HANP (B and F) and LAD (C and G) at 6 months after CA significantly improved compared with those at baseline in both groups. BNP, B‐type natriuretic peptide; CA, catheter ablation; HANP human atrial natriuretic peptide; LAD, left atrial dimension; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; PAF, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.