Do patients treated with catheter ablation for AF or AFL have worse patient-reported outcomes and high readmission rates compared to a healthy reference population?
Patients experience decreased mental and physical health and high readmission rates 6 to 12 months after catheter ablation for AF or AFL, suggesting a need for closer multidisciplinary follow-up or cardiac rehabilitation.
PURPOSE: Today, catheter ablation is a widely used treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL). Knowledge on long-term patient-reported outcomes and readmissions is lacking and is warranted to plan optimal follow-up care. Objectives were to describe patient-reported outcomes including perceived health, quality of life, anxiety, depression, and physical activity compared with an age- and sex-matched reference population without longstanding disease; readmissions and mortality; and factors associated with suboptimal patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey mailed to 627 adults 6 to 12 mo after ablation for AF or AFL including; Short Form-36 (SF-36), HeartQoL, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, and questions about physical activity. Readmission rates and mortality were obtained and regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Comparing the patient group (response rate: 74%, n = 462) with an age- and sex-matched reference population with no long-lasting disease, differences were found in all subscales of SF-36 and leisure-time physical activity in favor of the reference group (P 59 yr, female sex, high comorbidity, and readmission were associated with low physical health, low perceived health, and low quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated for AF or AFL experienced decreased mental and physical health and high readmission rates 6 to 12 mo following catheter ablation. Closer multidisciplinary follow-up or cardiac rehabilitation after ablation for AF or AFL may be needed.
Risom et al. (Tue,) studied this question.