Aims Early identification of patients who could benefit from early re-intervention after catheter ablation is highly warranted. Our aim was to investigate the association between post-procedural burden of supraventricular ectopic complexes (SVEC) and the risk of long-term atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence. Methods and results A total of 125 patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF were included. Patients underwent 7-day Holter recordings immediately post-procedural. The number of SVEC in post-procedural Holter recordings was categorized into quartiles: 0-72, 73-212, 213-782 and amp;gt;= 783 SVEC/day. Long-term AF recurrence was defined as a combined endpoint of AF amp;gt;= 1 min during follow-up Holter recordings, cardioversion or hospitalization for AF after a 3-month blanking period and within 24 months of follow-up. High post-procedural supraventricular ectopy burden was associated with an increased risk of long-term AF recurrence in a dose-dependent manner (amp;gt;= 783 SVEC: HR 4.6 [1.9-11.5], P amp;lt; 0.001) irrespective of AF recurrence during the blanking period or other risk factors. In patients with early AF recurrence amp;lt; 90 days after catheter ablation ectopy burden was also highly predictive of long-term AF recurrence (SVEC amp;gt;= 213: HR 3.0 [1.3-6.7], P = 0.007). Correspondingly, patients with early AF recurrence but low ectopy burden remained at low risk of long-term AF recurrence after the blanking period. Conclusion Our results indicate that post-procedural ectopy burden is highly associated with long-term AF recurrence and could be a potent risk marker for selection of patients for early re-ablation. Development of future ablation risk stratification and strategies should include focus on post-procedural ectopy burden.

Background: Supraventricular ectopic complexes (SVEC) originating in the pulmonary veins are known triggers of atrial fibrillation (AF) which led to the development of pulmonary vein isolation for AF. However, the long-term prevalence of SVEC after catheter ablation (CA) as compared to antiarrhythmic medication (AAD) is unknown. Our aims were to compare the prevalence of SVEC after AAD and CA and to estimate the association between baseline SVEC burden and AF burden during 24 months of follow-up. Methods: Patients with paroxysmal AF (N = 260) enrolled in the MANTRA PAF trial were treated with AAD (N = 132) or CA (N = 128). At baseline and 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months follow-up patients underwent 7-day Holter monitoring to assess SVEC and AF burden. We compared SVEC burden between treatments with Wilcoxon sum rank test. Results: Patients treated with AAD had significantly lower daily SVEC burden during follow-up as compared to CA (AAD: 19 [6-58] versus CA: 39 [14-125], p = 0.003). SVEC burden increased post-procedurally followed by a decrease after CA whereas after AAD SVEC burden decreased and stabilized after 3 months of follow-up. Patients with low SVEC burden had low AF burden after both treatments albeit this was more pronounced after CA at 24 months of follow-up. Conclusion: AAD was superior to CA in suppressing SVEC burden after treatment of paroxysmal AF. After CA SVEC burden increased immediately post-procedural followed by a decrease whereas after AAD an early decrease was observed. Lower SVEC burden was highly associated with lower AF burden during follow-up especially after CA. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Introduction: Supraventricular ectopic complexes (SVEC) are known risk factors of recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the impact of SVEC in different age groups is unknown. We aimed to investigate the risk of AF recurrence with higher SVEC burden in patients +/- 57 years, respectively, after treatment with antiarrhythmic medication (AAD) or catheter ablation (CA). Methods: In total, 260 patients with LVEF amp;gt;40% and age amp;lt;= 70 years were randomized to AAD (N = 132) or CA (N = 128) as first-line treatment for paroxysmal AF. All patients underwent 7-day Holter monitoring at baseline, and after 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months and were categorized according to median age +/- 57 years. We used multi-variate Cox regression analyses and we defined high SVEC burden at 3 months of follow-up as the upper 75th percentile amp;gt;195 SVEC/day. AF recurrence was defined as AF amp;gt;= 1 min, AF-related cardioversion or hospitalization. Results: Age amp;gt;57 years were significantly associated with higher AF recurrence rate after CA (58% vs 36%, p = 0.02). After CA, we observed a higher SVEC burden during follow-up in patients amp;gt;57 years which was not observed in the younger age group treatedwith CA (p = 0.006). High SVEC burden at 3 months after CA was associated with AF recurrence in older patients but not in younger patients (amp;gt;57 years: HR 3.4 [1.4-7.9], p = 0.005). We did not find any age-related differences after AAD. Conclusion: We found that younger and older patients respond differently to CA and that SVEC burden was only associated with AF recurrence in older patients. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

AIM: The aim of this prospective substudy was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of treating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) with radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) compared with antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) as first-line treatment.

METHODS AND RESULTS: A decision-analytic Markov model, based on MANTRA-PAF (Medical Antiarrhythmic Treatment or Radiofrequency Ablation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation) study data, was developed to study long-term effects and costs of RFA compared with AADs as first-line treatment. Positive clinical effects were found in the overall population, a gain of an average 0.06 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) to an incremental cost of €3033, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €50 570/QALY. However, the result of the subgroup analyses showed that RFA was less costly and more effective in younger patients. This implied an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €3434/QALY in ≤50-year-old patients respectively €108 937/QALY in >50-year-old patients.

CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency catheter ablation as first-line treatment is a cost-effective strategy for younger patients with paroxysmal AF. However, the cost-effectiveness of using RFA as first-line therapy in older patients is uncertain, and in most of these AADs should be attempted before RFA (MANTRA-PAF ClinicalTrials.gov number; NCT00133211).

Background The primary goal of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is to improve symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, most studies have focused on predictors of AF recurrence rather than on predictors of improvement in symptoms and HRQoL. Hypothesis We sought to explore predictors of improvement in arrhythmia-specific symptoms and HRQoL after RFA of AF, and to evaluate the effects on symptoms, HRQoL, anxiety, and depression. Methods We studied 192 patients undergoing their first RFA of AF. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), arrhythmia-specific questionnaire in tachycardia and arrhythmia (ASTA), and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) questionnaires were filled out at baseline, at 4 months, and at a 1-year follow-up. Results All questionnaire scale scores improved significantly over time. In the ASTA symptom scale score, female gender and amp;gt; 10 AF episodes the month before RFA were significant positive predictors of improvement, while diabetes and AF recurrence within 12 months after RFA were significant negative predictors (R-2 = 0.18; P amp;lt; 0.001). In the ASTA HRQoL scale score, the presence of heart failure and amp;gt; 10 AF episodes the month before RFA were significant positive predictors of improvement, while diabetes, maximum left atrial volume and AF recurrence were significant negative predictors (R-2 = 0.20; P amp;lt; 0.001). Conclusion Left atrial volume, gender, diabetes, heart failure, the frequency of AF attacks prior to RFA, and recurrence of AF after RFA were significant factors affecting improvement in symptoms and HRQoL after RFA of AF. Future studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Background

Information on alcohol consumption in patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is often limited by the reliance on self-reports. The aim of this study was to describe the long-term alcohol consumption, measured as ethyl glucuronide in hair (hEtG), in patients undergoing RFA due to AF, and to examine potential associations with cardiac biomarkers, left atrial size and re-ablation within one year after the initial RFA.

Methods

The amount of hEtG was measured in patients referred for RFA, and a cut-off of 7 pg/mg was used. N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and the mid-regional fragment of pro atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) were examined and maximum left atrium volume index (LAVI) was measured. The number of re-ablations was examined up to one year after the initial RFA. Analyses were stratified by gender, and adjusted for age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, presence of heart failure and heart rhythm for analyses regarding NT-proBNP, MR-proANP and LAVI and heart rhythm being replaced by type of AF for analyses regarding re-ablation.

Results

In total, 192 patients were included in the study. Median (25th– 75th percentile) NT-proBNP in men with hEtG ≥ 7 vs. < 7 pg/mg was 250 (96–695) vs. 130 (49–346) pg/ml (p = 0.010), and in women it was 230 (125–480) vs. 230 (125–910) pg/ml (p = 0.810). Median MR-proANP in men with hEtG ≥ 7 vs. < 7 pg/mg was 142 (100–224) vs. 117 (83–179) pmol/l (p = 0.120) and in women it was 139 (112–206) vs. 153 (93–249) pmol/l (p = 0.965). The median of maximum LAVI was 30.1 (26.7–33.9) vs. 25.8 (21.4–32.0) ml/m2 (p = 0.017) in men, and 25.0 (18.9–29.6) vs. 25.7 (21.7–34.6) ml/m2 (p = 0.438) in women, with hEtG ≥ 7 vs. < 7 pg/ml, respectively. Adjusted analyses showed similar results, except for MR-proANP turning out significant in men with hEtG ≥ 7 vs. < 7 pg/mg (p = 0.047). The odds ratio of having a re-ablation was 3.5 (95% CI 1.3–9.6, p = 0.017) in men with hEtG ≥ 7 vs. < 7 pg/mg, while there was no significant difference in women.

Conclusions

In male patients with AF and hEtG ≥ 7 pg/mg, NT-proBNP and MR-proANP were higher, LA volumes larger, and there was a higher rate of re-ablations, as compared to men with hEtG < 7 pg/mg. This implies that men with an alcohol consumption corresponding to an hEtG-value ≥ 7, have a higher risk for LA remodelling that could potentially lead to a deterioration of the AF situation.

There are many reports of lack of guideline adherence in the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and AF affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) negatively. The aim of this study was to investigate whether structured care compared to standard care of a general AF population could improve guideline adherence and HRQoL, and reduce symptoms,anxiety and depression.

Methods

In total, 176 patients were recruited to the intervention and 146 patients to the control group.The intervention consisted of a structured follow-up program, while patients serving as controls received standard care. The primary outcome was guideline adherence evaluated through: appropriate use of oral anticoagulants (OAC) and antiarrhythmics, whether echocardiogram and thyroid lab tests were performed, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), assessed with the questionnaires SF-36, EQ-5D, HADS and ASTA at baseline and after one year.

Results

Guideline adherence was significantly better in the intervention group, 91% vs. 63% (p < 0.01), mainly due to appropriate OAC treatment 94% vs. 74% (p < 0.01). Symptoms assessed with ASTA were less frequent and the negative impact of AF was reduced in the intervention group after one year/ at follow-up. Five scales in SF-36, and the visual analogue scale for current health status in EQ-5D (EQ-VAS), improved significantly in both groups.

Conclusion

Structured care of patients with AF significantly improved guideline adherence and patients reported fewer symptoms and a reduced negative impact on disease-specific HRQoL compared to standard care at one year follow-up.

Conclusions Anxiety, depression, and low-grade inflammation were the factors that predicted both arrhythmia-related symptoms and HRQoL in patients with AF. Obesity was the most significant predictor of patient general physical status. These factors need to be addressed in patients with AF to improve management of their disease. Intensive risk factor modification can be of great importance. (Reasons for Variations in Health Related Quality of Life and Symptom Burden in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [SMURF]; NCT01553045)

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)is an important treatment option for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). During RFA, a significant amount of energy is delivered into the left atrium (LA), resulting in considerable LA-injury. The impact of this damage on mechanical and endocrine LA-function, however, is often disregarded.We therefore aimed to evaluate the endocrine- and mechanical function of the heart 4-months after RFA of AF.

Methods: In total 189 patients eligible for RFA of AF were studied. The levels of the N-terminal pro-B-natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and the mid-regional fragment of the N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP)were measured. The maximum LAvolume (LAVmax),the LAejection fraction (LAEF) and the LA peak longitudinal strain (PALS), were measured usingtransthoracic echocardiography. The measurements were performed before and 4-months after the intervention.

Results: 87 patients had a recurrence during a mean follow-up of 143±36 days.NT-proBNPand MR-proANPdecreased significantly at follow-up. This reduction was greater in patients who did not suffer any recurrence after RFA.The LAVmax decreased significantly, whereasthe PALS only improved in patients who did not suffer from any recurrence. On the other hand, LAEF did not change significantly after RFA of AF.

Conclusions: Despite extensiveablation during RFA of AF, the endocrine function of the heart improved 4-months after the index procedure. Patients with no arrhythmia recurrence showed a more pronounced improvement in their endocrinal function. Mechanically, the LAVmax was reduced, and the LA strain improved significantly.

Objective Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication affecting approximately one-third of patients after cardiac surgery and valvular interventions. This umbrella review systematically appraises the epidemiological credibility of published meta-analyses of both observational and randomised controlled trials (RCT) to assess the risk and protective factors of POAF. Methods Three databases were searched up to June 2021. According to established criteria, evidence of association was rated as convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak or not significant concerning observational studies and as high, moderate, low or very low regarding RCTs. Results We identified 47 studies (reporting 61 associations), 13 referring to observational studies and 34 to RCTs. Only the transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) approach was associated with the prevention of POAF and was supported by convincing evidence from meta-analyses of observational data. Two other associations provided highly suggestive evidence, including preoperative hypertension and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio. Three associations between protective factors and POAF presented a high level of evidence in meta-analyses, including RCTs. These associations included atrial and biatrial pacing and performing a posterior pericardiotomy. Nineteen associations were supported by moderate evidence, including use of drugs such as amiodarone, b-blockers, glucocorticoids and statins and the performance of TAVR compared with surgical aortic valve replacement. Conclusions Our study provides evidence confirming the protective role of amiodarone, b-blockers, atrial pacing and posterior pericardiotomy against POAF as well as highlights the risk of untreated hypertension. Further research is needed to assess the potential role of statins, glucocorticoids and colchicine in the prevention of POAF.

Background There is limited knowledge on the short‐term influence of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) on 2 cardiac biomarkers; the N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and the midregional fragment of the N‐terminal of pro‐ANP (MR‐proANP) and 2 extracardiac biomarkers; the c‐terminal provasopressin (copeptin) and the midregional portion of proadrenomedullin (MR‐proADM). There are also limited data concerning cardiac production of the latter two.

Methods and Results We studied 192 consecutive patients eligible for RFA of AF referred to the University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. NT‐proBNP, MR‐proANP, copeptin, and MR‐proADM levels were measured in peripheral blood, the coronary sinus (CS), and the left atrium before ablation, and in peripheral blood immediately and the day after RFA. The level of NT‐proBNP decreased the day after RFA in participants in AF at the time of RFA, compared to the participants in sinus rhythm who showed a slight increase (P<0.001). Furthermore, regardless of the actual rhythm, the level of MR‐proANP showed an increase immediately after RFA (P<0.001), followed by a decrease the day after ablation (P<0.001). Copeptin level showed a 6‐fold increase immediately after RFA compared to baseline (P<0.001), whereas MR‐proADM level increased the day after RFA (P<0.001). Levels of copeptin and MR‐proADM were not higher in the CS compared to peripheral blood.

Conclusions RFA of AF is a strong stimulus with a significant and direct impact on different neurohormonal systems. We found no sign of a cardiac release of MR‐proADM or copeptin.

Background-Biomarker activation in atrial fibrillation (AF) has been widely studied, but the immediate effect of AF initiation remains unclear. We studied the effect of AF initiation on 2 cardiac biomarkers: the N-terminal fragment of the proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), the midregional fragment of the N-terminal of pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), and 2 extracardiac biomarkers-the copeptin and the midregional portion of proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM). Methods and Results-This was a randomized controlled study, including 45 patients with AF who had been referred for radiofrequency ablation to the University Hospital, Link_ oping, Sweden, between February 2012 and April 2014. Freedom from AF during the 4 days prior to radiofrequency ablation was confirmed by transtelephonic ECGs. Biomarkers were collected from the femoral vein (fv), coronary sinus (CS), and left atrium (LA) prior to AF initiation (baseline) and 30 minutes later. The MR-proANP and NT-proBNP concentrations increased in the intervention group compared with the control group 30 minutes after the initiation of AF (MR-proANP: P-fvamp;lt;0.001, P-CSamp;lt;0.001, P-LAamp;lt;0.001; NT-proBNP: P-LAamp;lt;0.001). Copeptin levels in patients without ischemic heart disease were decreased after the initiation of AF (P-fv= 0.003, P-CS= 0.015, P-LA= 0.011). Conclusions-AF is a strong stimulus that results in immediate activation of different biomarkers.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, with an estimated prevalence of 1.5-2%. It is an independent risk factor for ischaemic stroke and is estimated to cause about 20-25% of all stroke cases. AF has a great impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL); however, one unresolved issue related to AF is the wide variation in its symptoms.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The symptom burden, metabolic profile, ultrasound findings, rhythm, neurohormonal activation, haemodynamics and HRQoL in patients with AF (Symptom burden, Metabolic profile, Ultrasound findings, Rhythm, neurohormonal activation, haemodynamics and health-related quality of life in patients with atrial Fibrillation, SMURF) study is a prospective observational, cohort study, with a randomised interventional part. The aim of the study is to investigate, in patients with AF, the relationship between symptom burden and metabolic aspects, atrial function and different neurohormones, and the effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The interventional part of the study will give an insight into the neurohormonal and intracardiac pressure changes directly after initiation of AF. Consecutive patients with symptomatic AF accepted for treatment with RFA for the first time at Linköping University Hospital are eligible for participation. The enrolment started in January 2012, and a total of 200 patients are to be included into the study, with 45 of them being enrolled into the interventional study with initiation of AF. The sample size of the interventional study is based on a small pilot study with 5 patients induced to AF while 2 served as controls. The results indicated that, in order to find a statistically significant difference, there was a need to include 28 patients; for safety reasons, 45 patients will be included.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The SMURF study is approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping, Sweden. The results will be presented through peer-review journals and conference presentation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01553045; Pre-results.

Background

There are limited data comparing radiofrequency catheter ablation with antiarrhythmic drug therapy as first-line treatment in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Methods

We randomly assigned 294 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and no history of antiarrhythmic drug use to an initial treatment strategy of either radiofrequency catheter ablation (146 patients) or therapy with class IC or class III antiarrhythmic agents (148 patients). Follow-up included 7-day Holter-monitor recording at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Primary end points were the cumulative and per-visit burden of atrial fibrillation (i.e., percentage of time in atrial fibrillation on Holter-monitor recordings). Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis.

Results

There was no significant difference between the ablation and drug-therapy groups in the cumulative burden of atrial fibrillation (90th percentile of arrhythmia burden, 13% and 19%, respectively; P=0.10) or the burden at 3, 6, 12, or 18 months. At 24 months, the burden of atrial fibrillation was significantly lower in the ablation group than in the drug-therapy group (90th percentile, 9% vs. 18%; P=0.007), and more patients in the ablation group were free from any atrial fibrillation (85% vs. 71%, P=0.004) and from symptomatic atrial fibrillation (93% vs. 84%, P=0.01). One death in the ablation group was due to a procedure-related stroke; there were three cases of cardiac tamponade in the ablation group. In the drug-therapy group, 54 patients (36%) underwent supplementary ablation.

Conclusions

In comparing radiofrequency ablation with antiarrhythmic drug therapy as first-line treatment in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, we found no significant difference between the treatment groups in the cumulative burden of atrial fibrillation over a period of 2 years.

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Objective The Medical ANtiarrhythmic Treatment or Radiofrequency Ablation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (MANTRA-PAF) trial compared radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) with antiarrhythmic drug therapy (AAD) as first-line treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Endpoint of ablation was elimination of electrical activity inside pulmonary veins. We present the results of the 5-year follow-up.

Methods This pre-specified 5-year follow-up included assessment of any AF and symptomatic AF burden by one 7-day Holter recording and quality of life (QoL) assessment, using SF-36 questionnaire physical and mental component scores. Analysis was intention-to-treat. Imputation was used to compensate for missing Holter data.

Results 245 of 294 patients (83%) randomised to RFA (n=125) or AAD (n=120) attended the 5-year follow-up, 227 with Holter recording. Use of class I or III AAD was more frequent in AAD group (N=61 vs 13, p<0.001). More patients in the RFA group were free from AF (126/146 (86%) vs 105/148 (71%), p=0.001, relative risk (RR) 0.82; 95% CI 0.73 to 0.93) and symptomatic AF (137/146 (94%) vs 126/148 (85%), p=0.015, χ² test, RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.84 to 0.98) in 7-day Holter recording. AF burden was significantly lower in the RFA group (any AF: p=0.003; symptomatic AF: p=0.02). QoL scores did not differ between randomisation groups. QoL scores remained improved from baseline (both components p<0.001), and did not differ from 2-year scores.

Conclusions At 5 years, the occurrence and burden of any AF and symptomatic AF were significantly lower in the RFA group than in the AAD group. Improved QoL scores observed after 2 years persisted after 5 years without between-group differences.

Background

Acute drug conversion of persistent atrial fibrillation usually fails.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to test the proarrhythmic potential, safety, and efficacy of the novel antiarrhythmic agent AZD7009 in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (mean duration 43 days) scheduled for direct current (DC) cardioversion.

Methods

Patients were randomized to AZD7009 (3-hour intravenous infusion; n = 86) or placebo (n = 36). AZD7009 was given in doses intended to produce target pseudo–steady-state plasma levels of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, or 2.5 μmol/L after 30 minutes of infusion. DC cardioversion was performed if conversion to sinus rhythm (SR) did not occur within 2 hours of infusion.

Results

AZD7009 in a concentration-dependent manner increased the rate of conversion of AF to SR and shortened the time to conversion. At the three highest target concentrations of AZD7009, 45%, 64%, and 70% of AF patients converted after a mean time of 62, 55, and 26 minutes, respectively, whereas no placebo-treated patients converted. SR was maintained for 24 hours in 21 of 22 patients with drug-associated conversion. AZD7009 treatment was associated with QT-interval prolongation; the increase in QT corrected according to Fridericia typically ranged from 40 to 80 ms at targeted pseudo–steady-state plasma concentrations ≥0.75 μmol/L, but a number of outliers with QT corrected according to Fridericia >550 ms were seen in the higher concentration groups, particularly after conversion to SR and prolonged infusion. None of the patients exhibited torsades de pointes according to predefined criteria; however, one patient exhibited a nonsustained, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia of eight beats with torsades de pointes–like features after AZD7009 infusion (asymptomatic and discovered only upon retrospective Holter tape analysis). Clinical adverse events (primarily dizziness, bradycardia, hypotension, and nausea) were significantly more common in the highest target concentration AZD7009 group vs placebo (P <.001).

Conclusion

AZD7009 exhibited dose-dependent effects in converting AF to SR in AF patients and appeared to be associated with a low risk of proarrhythmia despite continued administration during a period of heightened vulnerability.

Background:  Atrial Fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia.  It increases the risk of thromboembolic events and many atrial fibrillation patients suffer quality of life impairment due to disturbed heart rhythm.  Pulmonary vein isolation using radiofrequency catheter ablation treatment is aimed at maintaining sinus rhythm ultimately improving quality of life.  Randomized clinical trial have shown that catheter ablation is more effective than antiarrhythmic drugs for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, but its impact on quality of life and cost-effectiveness has not been widely studied.  Aims:  To assess the cost-effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) vs. antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) treatment, among symptomatic atrial fibrillation patients not previously responding to AAD.  Methods:  A decision-analytic Markov model was developed to assess costs and health outcomes in terms of quality adjusted life years (QALYs) of RFA and AAD over a lifetime time horizon.  We conducted a literature search and used data from several sources as input variables of the model.  One-year rates of atrial fibrillation with RFA and AAD, respectively, were available from published randomized clinical trials.  Other data sources were published papers and register data.  Results:  The RFA treatment strategy was associated with reduced costs and an incremental gain in QALYs compared to the AAD treatment strategy.  The results were sensitive to whether long-term quality of life improvement is maintained for the RFA treatment strategy and the risk of stroke in the different atrial fibrillation health states.  Conclusion:  This study shows that the short-term improvement in atrial fibrillation associated with RFA is likely to lead to long-term quality of life improvement and lower costs indicating that RFA is cost-effective compared to AAD. 

Randomiserade studier har visat att ablation av förmaksflimmer har bättre effekt än antiarytmisk medicinering. 

Enligt europeiska och ameri­kanska riktlinjer kan alla typer av förmaksflimmer komma ifråga för ablation. 

Hos patienter med paroxysmalt förmaksflimmer är lyckandefrekvensen ca 70–80 procent, medan den är något lägre vid persisterande och långvarigt flimmer. 

Risken för allvarliga komplikationer är låg, <1,0 procent.

INTRODUCTION: Limited data are available regarding safety of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients using novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) before and after pulmonary vein isolation. We aimed to assess the safety of a simple anticoagulation protocol in consecutive patients -presenting for catheter ablation of AF. METHODS: From November 2011 to December 2014, we prospectively included 234 patients referred for catheter ablation of AF who had already received NOAC treatment. NOAC was continued for a minimum of three months after ablation. We assessed procedure-related bleeding or thromboembolic complications, bleeding or thromboembolic complications during a three-month follow-up period and patient-reported adherence to NOAC therapy. The study has not received financial support from external resources. The study was registered with ClinTrials.gov as NCT02569255. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients were treated with dabigatran (94% 150 mg twice daily), 38 with rivaroxaban (100% 20 mg daily) and 25 with apixaban (100% 5 mg twice daily). NOACs were interrupted for 24 hours before and re-administered two hours after the ablation procedure, without bridging with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). No periprocedural thromboembolic complications and no bleeding complications were registered except for one pericardial effusion which was percutaneously drained without further complications. No thromboembolic or bleeding complications during follow-up were registered. All patients continued the same NOAC during follow-up as before ablation. CONCLUSIONS: Anticoagulation with NOAC with a short period of periprocedural interruption without bridging with LMWH seems safe and well-tolerated.

No large randomized multicentre trial has evaluated the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) vs. anti-arrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy as a first-line treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). The Medical ANtiarrhythmic Treatment or Radiofrequency Ablation (MANTRA-PAF) trial is a randomized, controlled, parallel group, multicentre study designed to test whether catheter-based RFA is superior to optimized AAD therapy in suppressing relapse within 24 months of symptomatic and/or asymptomatic AF in patients with paroxysmal AF without prior AAD therapy. The primary endpoint is cumulative AF burden on repeated 7 days Holter monitoring. Secondary endpoints are: thromboembolic events, hospitalization due to arrhythmia, pro-arrhythmic events, procedure/treatment-related side effects, health economics, quality of life, and change in left ventricular function. Ten centres in Scandinavia and Germany are participating in the study. Enrolment was started in 2005 and as of November 2008, 260 patients have been enrolled into the study. It is expected that enrolment will end by March 2009, when 300 patients have been included. The MANTRA-PAF trial will determine whether catheter-based RFA is superior to optimized AAD therapy as a first-line treatment in suppressing long-term relapse of symptomatic and/or asymptomatic AF.

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AIMS: Elevated levels of C-reactive protein and other inflammatory markers have been reported in some patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Whether this finding is related to AF per se or to other conditions remains unclear. In addition, the source of inflammatory markers is unknown. Therefore, in the present study, we sought to assess the extent and the source of inflammation in patients with AF and no other concomitant heart or inflammatory conditions.

METHODS AND RESULTS: The study group consisted of 29 patients referred for radiofrequency catheter ablation: 10 patients with paroxysmal AF, 8 patients with permanent AF, and 10 control patients with Wolf-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome and no evidence of AF (mean age 54 +/- 11 vs. 57 +/- 13 vs. 43 +/- 16). No patient had structural heart diseases or inflammatory conditions. High-sensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were assessed in blood samples from the femoral vein, right atrium, coronary sinus, and the left and right upper pulmonary veins. All samples were collected before ablation. Compared with controls and patients with paroxysmal AF, patients with permanent AF had higher plasma levels of IL-8 in the samples from the femoral vein, right atrium, and coronary sinus, but not in the samples from the pulmonary veins (median values in the femoral vein: 2.58 vs. 2.97 vs. 4.66 pg/mL, P = 0.003; right atrium: 2.30 vs. 3.06 vs. 3.93 pg/mL, P = 0.013; coronary sinus: 2.85 vs. 3.15 vs. 4.07, P = 0.016). A high-degree correlation existed between the IL-8 levels in these samples (correlation coefficient between 0.929 and 0.976, P < 0.05). No differences in the C-reactive protein and IL-6 levels were noted between the three groups of patients.

CONCLUSION: The normal levels of C-reactive protein and IL-6, along with the elevated levels of IL-8 in patients with permanent AF but not in those with paroxysmal AF, suggest a link between a low-grade inflammatory reaction and long-lasting AF. The elevated IL-8 levels in the peripheral blood, right atrium, and coronary sinus but not in the pulmonary veins suggest a possible source of inflammation in the systemic circulation.

Background: Different algorithms of estimating local activation time (LAT) can be usedduring the mapping of focal atrial tachycardia (FAT).

Objective: The impact of these algorithms on the reproducibility of LAT measurementand the location of the focus.

Methods: Fifteen patients (48 ± 17 yrs) with FAT were studied. Three independentobservers reviewed 1438 bipolar electrograms and successively assigned the LAT on thepeak amplitude (Bi-peak), the steepest downslope (Bi-dslope), and the onset (Bi-on) ofthe electrograms. The reproducibility of LAT measurement was estimated.

Results: The mean interobserver absolute differences in LAT for the three algorithmswere 1.47 ± 2.75 ms (Bi-peak) vs. 2.15 ± 3.89 ms (Bi-dslope) vs. 2.87 ± 3.47 (Bi-on) (p <0.0001). The corresponding intraobserver differences were 2.29 ± 3.74 ms (Bi-peak) vs2.47 ± 4.17 ms (Bi-dslope) vs 3.16 ± 4.49 ms (Bi-on) (p < 0.0001). The interobserverdifferences in the location of the focus were 3.57 ± 3.81 mm (Bi-peak) vs 5.47 ± 4.98mm (Bi-dslope) vs 6.57 ± 6.94 mm (Bi-on) (p = 0.03), with differences of up to 13 mm(Bi-peak), 16 mm (Bi-dslope), and 25 mm (Bi-on). However, regardless of the method ofLAT determination, the foci computed by the three observers clustered within regions oflow-amplitude fractionated electrograms.

Conclusions: Significant observer variability exists among the three algorithms, whichtend to compute different LAT and foci with different locations. However, the foci aresituated in regions of low voltage fractionated electrograms.

The present study sought to assess the extent of gender differences in electrophysiologic parameters in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). The study population consisted of 203 patients (women/men ratio 2:1) who underwent slow pathway ablation. Patients with associated heart disease experienced the first episode of tachycardia at a significantly older age than patients with lone AVNRT (women 50 ± 18 vs 29 ± 15 years, p <0.0001, men 45 ± 20 vs 31 ± 17 years, p = 0.01). Sinus cycle length (797 ± 142 vs 870 ± 161 ms, p = 0.0001), HV interval (41 ± 7 vs 45 ± 8 ms, p = 0.0001), atrioventricular (AV) block cycle length (348 ± 53 vs 371 ± 75 ms, p = 0.01), slow pathway effective refractory period (ERP) (258 ± 46 vs 287 ± 62 ms, p = 0.006), and tachycardia cycle length (354 ± 58 vs 383 ± 60 ms, p = 0.001) were shorter in women. No gender differences were noted in fast pathway ERP and ventriculoatrial (VA) block cycle length. In women, an AV block cycle length <350 ms along with a VA block cycle length <400 ms predicted tachycardia induction without the need for autonomic intervention, with a positive predictive value of 93% (sensitivity 71%, specificity 82%). No such cut-off values could be found in men. The acute success rate (100% vs 98%) and the recurrence rate (3% vs 6%) were similar for the 2 genders. In conclusion, in patients with lone AVNRT, the onset of symptoms occurred at a younger age than in patients with concomitant heart disease. Women had shorter slow pathway refractory periods, AV block cycle lengths, and tachycardia cycle lengths. No gender differences were noted in the fast pathway ERP. Therefore, women have a wider "tachycardia window" (i.e., the difference between the fast and slow pathway refractory periods), a finding that may explain their greater incidence of AVNRT. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Purpose

Different methods can be used to estimate activation time during the mapping of focal atrial tachycardia. The present study aimed to compare activation maps generated by three widely used methods of determining activation time.

Methods

Fourteen patients (mean age 48 ± 17 years) with focal atrial tachycardia were investigated. Mapping was performed with the CARTO system. All patients underwent successful ablation. Local activation time was successively defined as the peak amplitude (Bi-peak), the steepest downslope (Bi-dslope), and the onset (Bi-on) of the bipolar electrograms.

Results

The three methods of activation time determination were highly correlated with one another but generated foci with different locations. The distances between the foci generated by the different methods were 4.36 ± 4.91 mm (Bi-peak–Bi-dslope), 7.21 ± 5.11 mm (Bi-peak–Bi-on), and 7.21 ± 5.87 mm (Bi-dslope–Bi-on) (p = 0.26). Also, the three methods generated foci with different diameters: 3.13 ± 2.17 mm for Bi-peak, 2.81 ± 0.78 for Bi-dslope, and 2.54 ± 0.14 mm for Bi-on (p = 0.60). However, the foci tended to cluster within relatively wide regions of low-amplitude fractionated electrograms. The surface of these regions was 3.81 ± 2.34 cm² (Bi-peak), 3.38 ± 2.12 cm² (Bi-dslope), and 4.76 ± 3.01 cm² (Bi-on) (p = 0.34).

Conclusion

The three methods of activation time determination, although highly correlated with one another, may generate foci of different sizes and in different locations. However, the foci tend to cluster within relatively large areas of low-amplitude fractionated electrograms. These findings suggest a sizeable atrial region with particular electrophysiological proprieties and raise the possibility of an anatomical substrate of the tachycardia. During mapping, this region can be roughly delineated by all three methods of activation time estimation. However, details concerning the activation pattern within the region and the location of the focus vary among the methods.

P values of P < 0.0001 should have been given in the abstractfor the increase within the region activated during the first15 ms of both the incidence of bipolar electrograms with multiplenegative deflections and of the incidence of unipolar electrogramswith multiple negative deflections.

In the section ‘Characteristics of electrograms in theregion surrounding the earliest activation site and in the remainingatrium’ the P value for bipolar voltage should be P <0.0001, not P < 0001. In the same section the P value forthe decrease of unipolar and bipolar peak-to-peak voltage shouldbe P < 0.0001, not P < 0001.

Aims: Fractionated electrograms are often noted during mapping of focal atrial tachycardia (FAT). This finding suggests poor cell-to-cell coupling, which is thought to be an important prerequisite in the process of ectopic impulse initiation and propagation. The purpose of the present study was to assess the electrogram fractionation in the vicinity of the earliest activation site and in the remaining atrium in these patients.

Methods and results: Thirteen patients with FAT (age 48 ± 17 years) who underwent catheter ablation were investigated. Mapping was performed with the CARTO system. Electrogram fractionation was assessed on the basis of the number of negative deflections, both in the region surrounding the earliest activation site and in the remaining atrium. Unipolar and bipolar peak-to-peak voltage and bipolar electrogram duration were also studied. All patients underwent successful radiofrequency ablation. A higher degree of electrogram fractionation existed in the region surrounding the earliest activation site and activated within the first 15 ms when compared with the remaining atrium (incidence of bipolar electrograms with multiple negative deflections: 88 vs. 79%, P < 0.0001; incidence of unipolar electrograms with multiple negative deflections: 56 vs. 43%, P = 0.0001). The peak-to-peak voltage in the region activated within the first 15 ms was less than that in the remaining atrium (bipolar voltage: 1.33 ± 0.99 vs. 1.61 ± 1.11 mV, P < 0.001; unipolar voltage: 1.75 ± 0.92 vs. 1.95 ± 1.11 mV, P = 0.0188). There were no significant differences in bipolar electrogram duration. Within the region activated during the first 15 ms, from the periphery to the earliest activation site, there was a gradual increase in electrogram fractionation (incidence of bipolar electrograms with multiple negative deflections gradually increasing from 82 to 100% and incidence of unipolar electrograms with multiple negative deflections increasing from 56 to 90%), as well as a gradual decrease in peak-to-peak voltage (bipolar voltage gradually decreasing from 1.47 ± 1.06 to 0.89 ± 0.54 mV, P < 0.0001; unipolar voltage gradually decreasing from 1.89 ± 0.94 to 1.30 ± 0.63 mV, P < 0.0001). Irregular, closely spaced isochrones were also noted in the region activated during the first 15 ms. The area of this region was 4.88 ± 3.59 cm².

Conclusion: Increased electrogram fractionation exists within a relatively wide region around the tachycardia origin when compared with the remaining atrium. Moreover, this region is electrically heterogeneous, as suggested by the fact that the degree of electrogram fractionation increases gradually whereas the electrogram voltage decreases gradually towards the earliest activation site. These findings suggest that a non-discrete atrial region with gradually changing electrophysiological properties may underlie the substrate of FAT.

Background: The Medical ANtiarrhythmic Treatment or Radiofrequency Ablation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (MANTRA-PAF) is a randomized trial comparing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) to antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) as first-line treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). In order to eliminate the clouding effect of crossover we performed an on-treatment analysis of the data. Methods and results: Patients (n = 294) were divided into three groups: those receiving only the assigned therapy (RFA and AAD groups) and those receiving both therapies (crossover group). The primary end points were AF burden in 7-day Holter recordings at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months and cumulative AF burden in all recordings. At 24 months, AF burden was significantly lower in the RFA (n = 110) than in the AAD (n = 92) and the crossover (n = 84) groups (90th percentile 1% vs. 10% vs. 16%, P = 0.007), and more patients were free from any AF (89% vs. 73% vs. 74%, P = 0.006). In the RFA, AAD and the crossover groups 63%, 59% and 21% (P less than 0.001) of the patients had no AF episodes in any Holter recording, respectively. Quality of life improved significantly in all groups. There were no differences in serious adverse events between the RFA, AAD and crossover groups (19% vs. 8% vs. 23%) (P = 0.10). Conclusions: In the treatment of antiarrhythmic therapy naive patients with PAF long-term efficacy of RFA was superior to AAD therapy. Thus, it is reasonable to offer RFA as first-line treatment for highly symptomatic patients who accept the risks of the procedure and are aware of frequent need for reablation(s). (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Objectives: This randomised trial evaluated if patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and no history of atrial flutter (AFL) had any benefit of prophylactic cavotricuspid isthmus block (CTIB) in addition to circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA).

Methods: 149 patients with AF (54% paroxysmal) were randomised to CPVA and CTIB (group CTIB+, n = 73) or CPVA alone (group CTIB–, n = 76). Patients were followed for 12 months with repetitive 7-day Holter monitoring after 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results: Six patients (4%) had cardiac tamponade, and one patient had a stroke. No difference was found in the cumulative AFL-free rate between the two treatment groups (CTIB+: 88% vs CTIB–: 84%, hazard ratio (HR) 0.80, 95% CI (0.34 to 1.90), p = 0.61). There was no difference in the cumulative AF-free rate between the groups (CTIB+: 34% vs CTIB–: 32%, HR 0.93, 95% CI (0.63 to 1.38), p = 0.71). Overall, 33% of the patients were free of AF after a single procedure. Including reprocedures, a complete or partial beneficial effect was noted in 62% of the patients at 12 months. At 12-month follow-up, 24 (50%) patients with documented AF or AFL in the Holter recordings were asymptomatic.

Conclusions: It was not possible to demonstrate any beneficial effect of CTIB in addition to CPVA with regard to AFL or AF recurrences during follow-up. Repetitive long-term Holter monitoring demonstrated a 33% rate of freedom from AF during a 1-year follow-up. Including additional CPVA procedures, a clinical effect was noted in 62% of the patients at 12 months. Patients with AF or AFL recurrences were often asymptomatic.

Premature ventricular complex (PVC) is common in the general population. Symptoms vary from none to pronounced. The prognostic significance of PVCs depends on the presence of underlying structural heart disease. The clinical evaluation in patients with PVC aims at excluding structural heart disease and usually involves transthoracic echocardiogram and Holter. Patients without structural heart disease usually have a good prognosis. Frequent PVCs may cause impaired left ventricular function, which usually is reversible after treatment with drugs or ablation. A 12-lead ECG provides important information about PVC localization, however anatomical factors such as the hearts localization in the thorax as well as electrode placement and pharmacological treatment may affect the ECG appearance. In symptomatic patients with or without left ventricular impairment, pharmacological treatment or catheter ablation is indicated. However, in most cases the main goal is to reasure the patient of the good prognosis. To summarize, treatment of choice depends on symptoms, comorbidities, left ventricular function and patients choice.

Background: This study assessed the cardiac electrophysiological and hemodynamic effects of an intravenous infusion of the combined ion channel blocker AZD1305. Methods: After successful ablation of atrial flutter, patients were randomized to receive placebo (n = 12) or AZD1305 (n = 38) in 4 ascending dose groups. Electrophysiological and hemodynamic measurements were performed before and commencing 20 minutes after start of infusion. Results: Left atrial effective refractory period increased dose and the primary outcome measure increased dose and plasma concentration dependently, with a mean increase of 55 milliseconds in dose group 3. There was a corresponding increase in right atrial effective refractory period of 84 milliseconds. The right ventricular effective refractory period and the paced QT interval also increased dose and concentration dependently, by 59 and 70 milliseconds, respectively, in dose group 3. There were indications of moderate increases of atrial, atrioventricular nodal, and ventricular conduction times. No consistent changes in intracardiac pressures were observed, but there was a small transient decrease in systolic blood pressure. Adverse events were consistent with the study population and procedure, and there were no signs of proarrhythmia despite marked delay in ventricular repolarization in some individuals. Conclusions: AZD1305 shows electrophysiological characteristics indicative of potential antiarrhythmic efficacy in atrial fibrillation.

[No abstract available]

AIMS: We aimed at examining the acetylcholine-dependent inward-rectifier current (IKAch) as a target for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS AND RESULTS: The investigative agents AZD2927 and A7071 concentration-dependently blocked IKACh in vitro with minimal off-target activity. In anaesthetized dogs (n = 17) subjected to 8 weeks of rapid atrial pacing (RAP), the left atrial effective refractory period (LAERP) was maximally increased by 50 ± 7.4 and 50 ± 4.8 ms following infusion of AZD2927 and A7071. Ventricular refractoriness and the QT interval were unaltered. During sustained AF, both drugs significantly reduced AF frequency and effectively restored sinus rhythm. AZD2927 successfully restored sinus rhythm at 10/10 conversion attempts and A7071 at 14/14 attempts, whereas saline converted 4/17 episodes only (P<0.001 vs. AZD2927 and A7071). In atrial flutter patients (n = 18) undergoing an invasive investigation, AZD2927 did not change LAERP, the paced QT interval, or ventricular refractoriness when compared with placebo. To address the discrepancy on LAERP by IKACh blockade in man and dog and the hypothesis that atrial electrical remodelling is a prerequisite for IKACh blockade being efficient, six dogs were studied after 8 weeks of RAP followed by sinus rhythm for 4 weeks to reverse electrical remodelling. In these dogs, both AZD2927 and A7071 were as effective in increasing LAERP as in the dogs studied immediately after the 8-week RAP period.

CONCLUSION: Based on the present series of experiments, an important role of IKACh in human atrial electrophysiology, as well as its potential as a viable target for effective management of AF, may be questioned.

Background AZD0837 is an investigational oral anticoagulant that is bioconverted to its active form, AR-H067637, a selective direct thrombin inhibitor.

 Objectives The objectives of the present study were to investigate if there are any clinically relevant adverse effects of intravenous AZD0837 on cardiac conduction, refractoriness and repolarization, and to study its safety and tolerability.

 Methods In this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study (study code D1250C00026), invasive electrophysiological measurements were performed twice in 30 subjects with a history of, or ongoing, atrial flutter, starting 30 minutes after successful ablation of atrial flutter and then 60 minutes after start of an intravenous infusion of AZD0837. Pre-study warfarin therapy was not an exclusion criterion. The stimulation protocol was performed mainly at 500 and 400 ms drive cycle length. A 12-lead ECG was also recorded before and during AZD0837 infusion. Plasma concentrations of AZD0837 and its metabolites were obtained at predefined timepoints.

 Results Measurements were made at baseline and during stable plasma concentrations of the prodrug AZD0837 (mean ± standard deviation 7.96 ± 2.38 μmol/L, approximate target of 10 μmol/L), the intermediate metabolite AR-H69927 (1.26 ± 0.39 μmol/L, target 1-2 μmol/L) and the active direct thrombin inhibitor AR-H067637 (0.35 ± 0.14 μmol/L, target 0.5-1.0 μmol/L). There were no clinically relevant effects on cardiac conduction (QRS duration, PR interval, His bundle electrogram, Wenckebach point), refractoriness (atrial, atrioventricular and ventricular effective refractory periods) or repolarization (QT, QT interval corrected for heart rate using Fridericia's formula, QRS onset to the top of the T wave [QT_top], QRS onset to the end of the T wave [QT_end] or QT_top - QT_end). 

Conclusions AZD0837 was well tolerated, and had no clinically relevant effects on cardiac electrophysiology of the target population, either in subjects previously treated with warfarin or in those without previous treatment. 

 Number 4082

Aims The Medical ANtiarrhythmic Treatment or Radiofrequency Ablation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (MANTRA-PAF) trial assessed the long-term efficacy of an initial strategy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) vs. antiarrhythmic drug therapy (AAD) as first-line treatment for patients with PAF. In this substudy, we evaluated the effect of these treatment modalities on the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and symptom burden of patients at 12 and 24 months. Methods and results During the study period, 294 patients were enrolled in the MANTRA-PAF trial and randomized to receive AAD (N = 148) or RFA (N = 146). Two generic questionnaires were used to assess the HRQoL [Short Form-36 (SF-36) and EuroQol-five dimensions (EQ-5D)], and the Arrhythmia-Specific questionnaire in Tachycardia and Arrhythmia (ASTA) was used to evaluate the symptoms appearing during the trial. All comparisons were made on an intention-to-treat basis. Both randomization groups showed significant improvements in assessments with both SF-36 and EQ-5D, at 24 months. Patients randomized to RFA showed significantly greater improvement in four physically related scales of the SF-36. The three most frequently reported symptoms were breathlessness during activity, pronounced tiredness, and worry/anxiety. In both groups, there was a significant reduction in ASTA symptom index and in the severity of seven of the eight symptoms over time. Conclusion Both AAD and RFA as first-line treatment resulted in substantial improvement of HRQoL and symptom burden in patients with PAF. Patients randomized to RFA showed greater improvement in physical scales (SF-36) and the EQ-visual analogue scale.

Objectives To investigate the effect of catheter ablation (CA) on symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after 5 years, and analyze predictors of recurrence of symptoms. Background The primary indication for CA of atrial fibrillation (AF) is to reduce symptoms and improve HRQoL where long-term follow-up are sparse. Methods In this observational, long-term, single-center study, patients were recruited from Linkoping University Hospital, Sweden. They were aged &gt;= 18 years and had been referred for CA from November 2011 until June 2019. Arrhythmia-specific symptoms and HRQoL were assessed by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) with the Arrhythmia-Specific questionnaire in Tachycardia and Arrhythmia (ASTA). Results In the study were 1521 patients, 69% men, mean age 62 years. At baseline, 87% of the patients and at the 5-year follow-up 80% of those eligible filled out the ASTA questionnaire. At follow-up, 50% reported freedom from symptoms, 18% had &gt;50% symptom reduction, 14% had a minor reduction, while 18% reported no effect or a worsening of symptoms. Factors predicting symptoms were female gender (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.8; 1.2-2.8), body mass index &gt;= 35 (HR: 3.9; 1.6-9.8), and ischemic heart disease (IHD) (HR: 2.6; 1.2-5.9). After 5 years, breathlessness during activity, weakness/fatigue, and tiredness were still the most common symptoms; regarding HRQoL they were impaired physical ability and deteriorated life situation. Conclusions and Clinical Implications This clinical cohort of patients with AF evaluated through PROMs showed that CA had long-lasting effects on symptoms and HRQoL and that the use of PROMs in clinical routines was feasible. Factors predicting symptoms after CA were female gender, IHD, and obesity, an important reminder to encourage lifestyle management.

Background

Primary indication for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is to reduce symptoms and improve health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). There are data showing differences between the genders and between younger and older patients. To evaluate this, we studied a large Scandinavian cohort of patients referred for catheter ablation of AF.

Methods

Consecutive patients filled out the ASTA questionnaire, assessing symptoms, HRQoL, and perception of arrhythmia, prior to ablation. Patients were recruited from four Swedish and one Danish tertiary center.

Results

A total of 2493 patients (72% men) filled out the ASTA questionnaire. Women experienced eight of the nine ASTA scale symptoms more often than men. Patients <65 years reported four symptoms more often, only tiredness was more frequent in those ≥65 years (P = .007). Women and patients <65 years experienced more often palpitations and regarding close to fainting and this was more common among women, no age differences were seen. Women and men scored differently in 10 of the 13 HRQoL items. Only negative impact on sexual life was more common in men (P < .001). Older patients reported more negative influence in four of the HRQoL items and the younger in one; ability to concentrate.

Conclusions

Women experienced a more pronounced symptom burden and were more negatively affected in all HRQoL concerns, except for the negative impact on sexual life, where men reported more influence of AF. Differences between age groups were less pronounced. Disease‐specific patient‐reported outcomes measures (PROMs) add important information where gender differences should be considered in the care.

n/a

Number: 85989