scholarly journals Psychological aspects of atrial fibrillation: A systematic narrative review

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl-Heinz Ladwig ◽  
Andreas Goette ◽  
Seryan Atasoy ◽  
Hamimatunnisa Johar
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Medical Problem ◽  
Psychological Aspects ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Clinical Prognosis ◽  
Interoceptive Cues ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose of the review Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia in the general population. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the psychological aspects of AF, compiling evidence from epidemiological, clinical, and basic research sources. Recent findings Findings from large-scale population-based and clinical longitudinal studies reveal an association between negative affectivity (e.g. depression) and the incidence and clinical prognosis of AF. Studies investigating the impact of work stress parameters on AF onset show conflicting results. Researchers have reported the impact of AF on cognitive decline and on health-related quality of life, and have highlighted the role of interoceptive cues in the development of AF symptom burden and gender differences in psychological covariates of AF. Among biological pathways linking psychosocial factors to AF, research on autonomic regulation has yielded the most evidence so far, showing that the onset of AF is associated with simultaneous sympatho-vagal activation rather than an increase in vagal or sympathetic drive alone. Thus, modulation of the autonomic nervous system is likely to be a promising strategy for protecting the myocardium from pro-arrhythmic autonomic influences. Summary In total, the findings show that AF is embedded as a disease condition in a psycho-societal context and is not an isolated medical problem per se. A broader perspective than a focus on the electrophysiology alone is urgently needed.

scholarly journals Importance and Assessment of Quality of Life in Symptomatic Permanent Atrial Fibrillation: Patient Focus Groups from the RATE-AF Trial

Cardiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 145 (10) ◽  
pp. 666-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Jones ◽  
Mary Stanbury ◽  
Sandra Haynes ◽  
Karina V. Bunting ◽  
Trudie Lobban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation Patient ◽  
Beta Blockers ◽  
Nyha Class ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
The Impact

Aims: To establish the extent and impact of symptoms in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the importance of different aspects of quality of life (QoL), and how we should assess wellbeing. Methods: Focus groups of patients with symptomatic permanent AF in a trial of heart rate control; the RATE-AF trial randomised 160 patients aged ≥60 years with permanent AF and at least NYHA class II dyspnoea to either digoxin or beta-blockers. Patient and public representatives led the focus groups and performed all data acquisition and analysis, using thematic approaches to interpret patient views about QoL and its measurement. Results: Substantial impairment of health-related QoL was noted in 160 trial patients, with impact on all domains apart from mental health. Eight women and 11 men aged 61–87 years participated in the focus groups. Common themes were a lack of information from healthcare professionals about AF, a lack of focus on QoL in consultations, and a sense of frustration, isolation, and reduced confidence. There was marked variability in symptoms in individual patients, with some describing severe impact on activities of daily living, and profound interaction with comorbidities such as arthritis. Day-to-day variation in QoL and difficulty in attributing symptom burden to AF or other comorbidities led to challenges in questionnaire completion. Consensus was reached that collecting both general and AF-specific QoL would be useful in routine practice, along with participation in peer support, which was empowering for the patients. Conclusions: The impact of comorbidities is poorly appreciated in the context of AF, with considerable variability in QoL that requires both generic and AF-specific assessment. Improvement in QoL should direct the appraisal, and reappraisal, of treatment decisions for patients with permanent AF.

scholarly journals Sex differences in the predictors of recurrent atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation: insights from the Kansai Plus Atrial Fibrillation (KPAF) registry

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Tanaka ◽  
K Inoue ◽  
A Kobori ◽  
K Kazutai ◽  
T Morimoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Af Recurrence

Abstract Background The impact of sex differences on the clinical outcomes of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is controversial. We previously reported that females experienced more frequent AF recurrences than males after the index and last RFCA procedures. Purpose To identify the risk factors associated with recurrent AF in females and males after RFCA of AF. Methods We conducted a large-scale, prospective, multicenter, observational study (Kansai Plus Atrial Fibrillation Registry). We enrolled 5010 consecutive patients who underwent an initial RFCA of AF at 26 centers (64±10 years; 1369 [27.3%] females; non-paroxysmal AF, 35.7%). The median follow-up duration was 2.9 years. Results The incidence of AF recurrences after a single procedure was 43.3% in females and 39.0% in males. After a multivariate adjustment at baseline, the significant predictors of AF recurrence in females after the index RFCA were non-paroxysmal AF (hazard ration [HR],1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.31–1.93, p<0.0001), a history of AF ≥2 years (HR,1.47; 95% CI,1.24–1.74, p<0.0001), coronary artery disease (HR,1.43; 95% CI,1.03–1.98, p=0.0035), and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<60 mL/min/1.73m2 (HR,1.46; 95% CI,1.10–1.95, p=0.0086). On the other hand, significant predictors of AF recurrence in males after the index RFCA were non-paroxysmal AF (HR,1.54; 95% CI,1.37–1.73, p<0.0001), a history of AF ≥2 years (HR,1.40; 95% CI,1.26–1.56, p<0.0001), the number of antiarrhythmic drugs (HR,1.06; 95% CI,1.003–1.13, p=0.040), a left atrial diameter≥40mm (HR,1.13; 95% CI,1.007–1.27, p=0.038), and dilated cardiomyopathy (HR,1.55; 95% CI,1.07–2.26, p=0.021), however, an eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73m2 was not associated with AF recurrence in males (HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.88–1.13, p=0.97). Conclusion The Kansai Plus Atrial Fibrillation Registry revealed a distinct sex difference in terms of the predictors of recurrent AF after RFCA. Non-Paroxysmal AF and a long history of AF were common risk factors both in females and males. However, renal dysfunction was a significant predictor of AF recurrence in females, while it was not a risk of recurrence in males. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Research Institute for Production Development in Kyoto, Japan.

scholarly journals Importance and assessment of quality of life in symptomatic permanent atrial fibrillation: Patient focus groups from the RATE-AF trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Jones ◽  
Mary Stanbury ◽  
Sandra Haynes ◽  
Karina V Bunting ◽  
Trudie Lobban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation Patient ◽  
Beta Blockers ◽  
Nyha Class ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
The Impact

Aims: To establish the extent and impact of symptoms in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the importance of different aspects of quality of life (QoL), and how we should assess wellbeing. Methods: Focus groups of patients with symptomatic permanent AF in a trial of heart rate control; the RATE-AF trial randomised 160 patients aged ≥60 years with permanent AF and at least NYHA class II dyspnoea to either digoxin or beta-blockers. Patient and public representatives led the focus groups and performed all data acquisition and analysis, using thematic approaches to interpret patient views about QoL and its measurement. Results: Substantial impairment of health-related QoL was noted in 160 trial patients, with impact on all domains apart from mental health. Eight women and 11 men aged 61-87 years participated in the focus groups. Common themes were a lack of information from healthcare professionals about AF, a lack of focus on QoL in consultations, and a sense of frustration, isolation and reduced confidence. There was marked variability in symptoms in individual patients, with some describing severe impact on activities of daily living, and profound interaction with comorbidities such as arthritis. Day-to-day variation in QoL and difficulty in attributing symptom burden to AF or other comorbidities led to challenges in questionnaire completion. Consensus was reached that collecting both general and AF-specific QoL would be useful in routine practice, along with participation in peer support, which was empowering for the patients. Conclusions: The impact of comorbidities is poorly appreciated in the context of AF, with considerable variability in QoL that requires both generic and AF-specific assessment. Improvement in QoL should direct the appraisal, and reappraisal, of treatment decisions for patients with permanent AF.

P3755Left atrial enlargement as an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in Japanese atrial fibrillation patients: pooled analysis of five major Japanese atrial fibrillation registries

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Akao ◽  
H Ogawa ◽  
S Suzuki ◽  
T Yamashita ◽  
E Kodani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Oral Anticoagulant ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Chads2 Score ◽  
Left Atrial Diameter ◽  
Atrial Enlargement ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of ischemic stroke. It remains unknown whether left atrial diameter determined by routine trans-thoracic echocardiography is a risk factor for ischemic stroke in non-valvular AF (NVAF) patients. Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of left atrial enlargement (LAE) on the incidence of ischemic stroke in a large-scale cohort of Japanese NVAF patients. Methods We combined the data of 5 major AF registries in Japan, J-RHYTHM Registry, Fushimi AF Registry, Shinken Database, Keio interhospital Cardiovascular Studies, and Hokuriku AF Registry. After excluding patients without echocardiographic data, 7,672 NVAF patients were analyzed in the present study (mean age, 69.3±12.3 years; mean CHADS2 score, 1.6±1.3). We compared clinical characteristics and the incidence of ischemic stroke between NVAF patients with LAE (left atrial diameter >45 mm; LAE group) and those without (non-LAE group). Results The mean left atrial diameter was 43.1±8.6 mm, and the LAE group accounted for 40.0% (n=3,066) of the entire cohort. Compared with non-LAE group (60.0%, n=4,606), the LAE group was older (LAE vs. non-LAE; 70.3±12.0 vs. 68.0±12.5, p<0.01), more often non-paroxysmal type (73.7% vs. 32.1%, p<0.01), had higher CHADS2 (1.86±1.34 vs. 1.46±1.29, p<0.01) and CHA2DS2-VASc (3.02±1.83 vs. 2.53±1.78, p<0.01) scores, and more frequently received oral anticoagulant (72.9% vs. 55.0%, p<0.01). During the median follow-up period of 774.5 days (interquartile range: 567–1466 days), ischemic stroke occurred in 241 patients (131 vs. 110 patients; 1.52 vs. 0.82 per 100 person-years). In Kaplan Meier analysis, LAE was associated with a higher incidence of ischemic stroke (unadjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.42–2.36; log rank p<0.01) (Figure). LAE was independently associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke (adjusted HR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.25–2.11; p<0.01) after adjustment by the components of CHADS2 score and the use of oral anticoagulant, on multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis. Conclusion In this large-scale cohort of Japanese patients with AF, LAE was an independent predictor of ischemic stroke, suggesting that this simple echocardiographic parameter could refine thromboembolic risk stratification of NVAF patients. Acknowledgement/Funding Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, AMED

scholarly journals Cognitive outcomes post-catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Kerley ◽  
H Dolphin ◽  
H Cronin ◽  
R Murphy ◽  
R O"lionaird ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Neurocognitive Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a known risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia. Recent data suggests that successful restoration of sinus rhythm by catheter ablation improves cognitive outcomes. Purpose: Our aim was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available data regarding the effectiveness of AF catheter ablation on neurocognitive outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed through December 1, 2020, for all eligible studies comparing neurocognitive outcomes in AF patients with or without AF catheter ablation. Clinical outcomes included rate of dementia, cognitive function by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Additional outcomes included the impact of time in sinus rhythm on neurocognitive outcomes. Results: We identified 11 studies which evaluated the effect of AF catheter ablation on dementia rate, MMSE and MOCA score. Meta-analysis of observational results indicates a decreased risk of dementia (risk ratio 0.51; 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.60; p &lt;0.001) and an improvement in MOCA scores (2.92 points, p &lt; 0.001) but not MMSE scores in patients undergoing AF catheter ablation compared to medical therapy. In addition, the maintenance of sinus rhythm was identified as a significant factor in dementia rate and improvement of MMSE and MOCA scores observed post catheter ablation therapy. Conclusion: AF catheter ablation may reduce the incidence of dementia and improve cognitive function. A large-scale randomized control trial is warranted before recommendations can be made regarding AF ablation and cognitive outcomes. Abstract Figure.

A Career Stage Analysis of the U.S. Federal Employees’ Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intention: A Comprehensive Overview

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 717-742
Author(s):  
Hyung-Woo Lee
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Turnover Intention ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Career Stages ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Career Stage ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Stage Analysis ◽  
The Impact

This study examines how the determinants of job satisfaction and turnover intention are different across employee’s career stages, using a large-scale data set from U.S. federal agencies. A comprehensive examination of career stage differences provides a sophisticated understanding of the multifaceted nature of job satisfaction and turnover intention factors. The trajectory of career stage differences is linear, and the impact of career stages is rather minimal when it comes to the determinants of job satisfaction, whereas the differences in terms of turnover intention were more drastic and salient. Also, the patterns of career stage effect were more complicated than proposed in the existing studies. The implications of these findings are explored for future research and practitioners.

Opportunities for Catalytic Reactions and Materials in Buildings

Encyclopedia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-55
Author(s):  
Praveen Cheekatamarla
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Environmental Burden ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
The Impact

Residential and commercial buildings are responsible for over 30% of global final energy consumption and accounts for ~40% of annual direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficient and sustainable technologies are necessary to not only lower the energy footprint but also lower the environmental burden. Many proven and emerging technologies are being pursued to meet the ever-increasing energy demand. Catalytic science has a significant new role to play in helping address sustainable energy challenges, particularly in buildings, compared to transportation and industrial sectors. Thermally driven heat pumps, dehumidification, cogeneration, thermal energy storage, carbon capture and utilization, emissions suppression, waste-to-energy conversion, and corrosion prevention technologies can tap into the advantages of catalytic science in realizing the full potential of such approaches, quickly, efficiently, and reliably. Catalysts can help increase energy conversion efficiency in building related technologies but must utilize low cost, easily available and easy-to-manufacture materials for large scale deployment. This entry presents a comprehensive overview of the impact of each building technology area on energy demand and environmental burden, state-of-the-art of catalytic solutions, research, and development opportunities for catalysis in building technologies, while identifying requirements, opportunities, and challenges.

Impact of COVID-19 on Nuclear Medicine in Germany, Austria and Switzerland: An International Survey in April 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (04) ◽  
pp. 294-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lutz S. Freudenberg ◽  
Ulf Dittmer ◽  
Ken Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Medicine ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Public Versus Private ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction Preparations of health systems to accommodate large number of severely ill COVID-19 patients in March/April 2020 has a significant impact on nuclear medicine departments. Materials and Methods A web-based questionnaire was designed to differentiate the impact of the pandemic on inpatient and outpatient nuclear medicine operations and on public versus private health systems, respectively. Questions were addressing the following issues: impact on nuclear medicine diagnostics and therapy, use of recommendations, personal protective equipment, and organizational adaptations. The survey was available for 6 days and closed on April 20, 2020. Results 113 complete responses were recorded. Nearly all participants (97 %) report a decline of nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures. The mean reduction in the last three weeks for PET/CT, scintigraphies of bone, myocardium, lung thyroid, sentinel lymph-node are –14.4 %, –47.2 %, –47.5 %, –40.7 %, –58.4 %, and –25.2 % respectively. Furthermore, 76 % of the participants report a reduction in therapies especially for benign thyroid disease (-41.8 %) and radiosynoviorthesis (–53.8 %) while tumor therapies remained mainly stable. 48 % of the participants report a shortage of personal protective equipment. Conclusions Nuclear medicine services are notably reduced 3 weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic reached Germany, Austria and Switzerland on a large scale. We must be aware that the current crisis will also have a significant economic impact on the healthcare system. As the survey cannot adapt to daily dynamic changes in priorities, it serves as a first snapshot requiring follow-up studies and comparisons with other countries and regions.

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