What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Atrial fibrillation (n=83). Intervention: Vascular and cardiac functional impairment. Primary outcome: Correlation of AFEQT score with vascular resistance (r = -0.64, 95% CI -0.74 to -0.52, p=<0.001).

What does this research mean for the field?

In patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation scheduled for catheter ablation, reduced quality of life significantly correlates with vascular impairment (such as increased arterial stiffness and vascular resistance) and myocardial functional impairment. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess how structural and functional cardiovascular parameters associate with quality of life in symptomatic patients scheduled for atrial fibrillation catheter ablation.

September 15, 2026Clinical Research in CardiologyOpen Access

Impact of vascular and cardiac parameters on quality of life in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

In patients with atrial fibrillation scheduled for catheter ablation, reduced quality of life significantly correlated with higher vascular resistance (r = -0.64) and LVEF < 50% (r = -0.74).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

In patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation scheduled for catheter ablation, reduced quality of life significantly correlates with vascular impairment (such as increased arterial stiffness and vascular resistance) and myocardial functional impairment. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess how structural and functional cardiovascular parameters associate with quality of life in symptomatic patients scheduled for atrial fibrillation catheter ablation.

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Key result

Reduced quality of life in AF correlates with higher vascular resistance and LVEF < 50%.

r = -0.64
95% CI -0.74 to -0.52
P<0.001
n=83

Why the study?

The structural and functional cardiovascular determinants of impaired quality of life in patients with symptomatic AF remain incompletely understood.

Key Points

To assess how structural and functional cardiovascular parameters associate with quality of life in symptomatic patients scheduled for atrial fibrillation catheter ablation.
Prospectively enrolled 83 symptomatic patients scheduled for catheter ablation (median age 72 years [IQR 63–80], 37.3% female, 81.9% paroxysmal AF).
Evaluated patients using pulse wave analysis, echocardiography, 12-lead electrocardiogram, and laboratory biomarker testing.
Measured quality of life via the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life (AFEQT) questionnaire and analyzed relationships using univariate Spearman rank-order correlations.
Lower AFEQT scores significantly correlated with higher vascular resistance (r = −0.64, p < 0.001), increased arterial stiffness (r = −0.62, p < 0.001), and elevated systolic aortic blood pressure (r = −0.38, p < 0.001).
Impaired quality of life inversely correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% (r = −0.74, p < 0.001), diastolic LV dysfunction (r = −0.34, p = 0.004), heart failure (r = −0.39, p < 0.001), and NT-proBNP levels (r = −0.38, p < 0.001).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=83)

Multicenter

Structured PICO

Population

83 adults (median age 72, 37% female) with symptomatic atrial fibrillation scheduled for catheter ablation underwent cross-sectional assessment of vascular and cardiac parameters.

Outcome

Correlation between AFEQT (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) scores and clinical, vascular, echocardiographic, and laboratory parameterspatient reported

Main Result

Effect estimate: r = -0.64 (95% CI -0.74 to -0.52)

p-value: p=<0.001

Limitations

Single-center design and modest sample size limit generalizability
Absence of multivariable modeling precludes assessment of independent contributions of vascular parameters
Multiple univariate correlations were performed without formal multiplicity adjustment
Observational, single-time point design does not allow causal inference or establish temporality
Continuous rhythm monitoring and systematic quantification of AF burden were not performed
Exploratory, hypothesis-generating observational analysis
No formal a priori sample size calculation
No formal adjustment for multiple testing
Overlap between vascular dysfunction, cardiovascular comorbidity, and AF-related symptom burden limits causal interpretation

Implication

Impaired QoL in pre-ablation AF was associated with vascular and myocardial dysfunction; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.

Abstract

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) impairs quality of life (QoL), and catheter ablation (CA) has been shown to improve QoL in symptomatic individuals. The structural and functional cardiovascular determinants of impaired QoL remain incompletely understood. Methods Participants with symptomatic AF scheduled for CA were prospectively enrolled and underwent pulse wave analysis (PWA, VascAssist2.0), echocardiography, and 12-lead electrocardiogram. QoL was assessed using the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life (AFEQT) questionnaire. Univariate Spearman rank-order correlation analyses were performed to assess associations between AFEQT scores and clinical, vascular, echocardiographic, and laboratory parameters. Results Eighty-three patients (52 male, 31 female) with a median age of 72 (IQR 63–80) years were included. Most participants had paroxysmal AF (82%), moderate to severe symptom severity (median EHRA score 3 (IQR 2–3)), and reduced QoL (mean AFEQT score 60 ± 19). Lower AFEQT scores correlated with higher vascular resistance ( r = − 0.64, p < 0.001), increased arterial stiffness ( r = − 0.62, p < 0.001), and elevated central systolic blood pressure ( r = − 0.38, p < 0.001). Cardiac variables significantly and inversely correlated with AFEQT scores included left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction < 50% ( r = − 0.74, p < 0.001), diastolic LV dysfunction ( r = − 0.34, p = 0.004), heart failure ( r = − 0.39, p < 0.001), and log-NT-proBNP levels ( r = − 0.38, p < 0.001). Conclusion Reduced QoL correlates with vascular and myocardial functional impairment in patients with AF scheduled for catheter ablation. The potential incremental value of multimodal cardiovascular assessment warrants further evaluation.

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Cite This Study

Kruska et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Atrial fibrillation (n=83). Vascular and cardiac functional impairment was evaluated on Correlation of AFEQT score with vascular resistance (r = -0.64, 95% CI -0.74 to -0.52, p=<0.001). In patients with atrial fibrillation scheduled for catheter ablation, reduced quality of life significantly correlated with higher vascular resistance (r = -0.64) and LVEF < 50% (r = -0.74).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa9017deed42882c1fc1928 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-026-03005-2