scholarly journals Sex differences in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: results from AXAFA-AFNET 5

EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 1026-1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariëlle Kloosterman ◽  
Winnie Chua ◽  
Larissa Fabritz ◽  
Hussein R Al-Khalidi ◽  
Ulrich Schotten ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Study sex-differences in efficacy and safety of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Methods and results We assessed first AF ablation outcomes on continuous anticoagulation in 633 patients [209 (33%) women and 424 (67%) men] in a pre-specified subgroup analysis of the AXAFA-AFNET 5 trial. We compared the primary outcome (death, stroke or transient ischaemic attack, or major bleeding) and secondary outcomes [change in quality of life (QoL) and cognitive function] 3 months after ablation. Women were older (66 vs. 63 years, P < 0.001), more often symptomatic, had lower QoL and a longer history of AF. No sex differences in ablation procedure were found. Women stayed in hospital longer than men (2.1 ± 2.3 vs. 1.6 ± 1.3 days, P = 0.004). The primary outcome occurred in 19 (9.1%) women and 26 (6.1%) men, P = 0.19. Women experienced more bleeding events requiring medical attention (5.7% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.03), while rates of tamponade (1.0% vs. 1.2%) or intracranial haemorrhage (0.5% vs. 0%) did not differ. Improvement in QoL after ablation was similar between the sexes [12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) physical 5.1% and 5.9%, P = 0.26; and SF-12 mental 3.7% and 1.6%, P = 0.17]. At baseline, mild cognitive impairment according to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was present in 65 (32%) women and 123 (30%) men and declined to 23% for both sexes at end of follow-up. Conclusion Women and men experience similar improvement in QoL and MoCA score after AF ablation on continuous anticoagulation. Longer hospital stay, a trend towards more nuisance bleeds, and a lower overall QoL in women were the main differences observed.

EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 1017-1025
Author(s):  
Vidal Essebag ◽  
Zahra Azizi ◽  
Pouria Alipour ◽  
Yaariv Khaykin ◽  
Peter Leong-Sit ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Atrial fibrillation (AF) significantly impairs patients’ quality of life (QOL). We performed this study to investigate the effect of AF-ablation success and atrial fibrillation burden (AFB) on QOL measures. Methods and results Overall, 230 patients with paroxysmal AF refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs were enrolled and underwent ablation in a multicentre, prospective cohort. Electrocardiogram, 48-h Holter, Canadian Cardiovascular Society Severity of Atrial Fibrillation (CCS-SAF), short form-12 (SF-12), and Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of life (AFEQT) scales were used to assess patients. Atrial fibrillation burden was defined as total duration of AF during the month prior to each visit (h/month). The change in AFB was calculated as the difference between the month prior to the 12-month post-ablation and the baseline pre-ablation. The Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) was considered as a 19-point change for AFEQT and 3–5-point change for SF-12 scores. There was significant rise in the AFEQT and SF12 and decrease in CCS-SAF score post-AF ablation; however, the magnitude of these changes was greater in patients without AF recurrence (P < 0.05). The QOL score that best differentiated patients with and without recurrence was AFEQT, while, CCS-SAF was the most specific score. Patients with AFB decrease >19 h/month had significantly greater change in QOL scores. Atrial fibrillation burden < 24 h/month at 12-months post-ablation was associated with significant changes in QOL and CCS-SAF when adjusting for baseline scores and other covariates. These changes were consistent with the MCID of these measures. Conclusion Patients experience significant improvements in QOL post-ablation, which correlate with a decrease in AFB despite ongoing brief recurrences of AF. Clinical Trial Registration NCT01562912. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01562912? term=capcost&rank=1


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaping Wang ◽  
Bin Liu ◽  
Xiuqiong Fu ◽  
Tiejun Tong ◽  
Zhiling Yu

Abstract Background The traditional Chinese medicine formula Si-Jun-Zi-Tang (SJZT) has a long history of application in the treatment of functional dyspepsia (non-ulcer dyspepsia, FD)-like symptoms. SJZT-based therapies have been claimed to be beneficial in managing FD. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of SJZT-based therapies in treating FD by meta-analysis. Methods Systematic searches for RCTs were conducted in seven databases (up to February 2019) without language restrictions. Data were analyzed using Cochrane RevMan software version 5.3.0 and Stata software version 13.1, and reported as relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The primary outcome was response rate and the secondary outcomes were gastric emptying, quality of life, adverse effects and relapse rate. The quality of evidence was evaluated according to criteria from the Cochrane risk of bias. Results A total of 341 potentially relevant publications were identified, and 12 RCTs were eligible for inclusion. For the response rate, there was a statically significant benefit in favor of SJZT-based therapies (RR = 1.23; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.30). However, the benefit was limited to modified SJZT (MSJZT). The relapse rate of FD patients received SJZT-based therapies was lower than that of patients who received conventional medicines (OR = 0.23; 95% CI 0.10 to 0.51). No SJZT-based therapies-related adverse effect was reported. Conclusion SJZT-based prescriptions may be effective in treating FD and no serious side-effects were identified, but the effect on response rate appeared to be limited to MSJZT. The results should be interpreted with caution as all the included studies were considered at a high risk of bias. Standardized, large-scale and strictly designed RCTs are needed to further validate the benefits of SJZT-based therapies for FD management. Trial registration Systematic review registration: [PROSPERO registration: CRD42019139136].


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Choi ◽  
Sung-Hwan Kim ◽  
Ju Youn Kim ◽  
Youmi Hwang ◽  
Tae-Seok Kim ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and objectives The efficacy of dexmedetomidine for radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been well established. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of sedation using dexmedetomidine with remifentanil compared to conventional sedative agents during RFCA for AF. Subjects and methods A total of 240 patients undergoing RFCA for AF were randomized to either the dexmedetomidine (DEX) group (continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil) or the midazolam (MID) group (intermittent injections of midazolam and fentanyl) according to sedative agents. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation was applied to all patients during the procedure. The primary outcome was patient movement during the procedure resulting in a 3D mapping system discordance, and the secondary outcome was adverse events including respiratory or hemodynamic compromise. Results During AF ablation, the incidence of the primary outcome was significantly reduced for the DEX group (18.2% vs. 39.5% in the DEX and the MID groups, respectively, p < 0.001). The frequency of a desaturation event (oxygen saturation < 90%) did not significantly differ between the two groups (6.6% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.056). However, the incidences of hypotension not owing to cardiac tamponade (systolic blood pressure < 80 mmHg, 19.8% vs. 8.4%, p = 0.011) and bradycardia (HR < 50 beats/min: 39.7% vs. 21.8%, p = 0.003) were higher in the DEX group. All efficacy and safety results were consistent within the predefined subgroups. Conclusion The combined use of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil provides higher stability sedation during AF ablation, but can lead to more frequent hemodynamic compromise compared to midazolam and fentanyl.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8s1 ◽  
pp. CMC.S15036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Dewire ◽  
Irfan M. Khurram ◽  
Farhad Pashakhanloo ◽  
David Spragg ◽  
Joseph E. Marine ◽  
...  

Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after ablation is associated with left atrial (LA) fibrosis on late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We sought to determine pre-ablation, clinical characteristics that associate with the extent of LA fibrosis in patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF. Methods and Results Consecutive patients presenting for catheter ablation of AF were enrolled and underwent LGE-MRI prior to initial AF ablation. The extent of fibrosis as a percentage of total LA myocardium was calculated in all patients prior to ablation. The cohort was divided into quartiles based on the percentage of fibrosis. Of 60 patients enrolled in the cohort, 13 had <5% fibrosis (Group 1), 15 had 5-7% fibrosis (Group 2), 17 had 8-13% fibrosis (Group 3), and 15 had 14-36% fibrosis (Group 4). The extent of LA fibrosis was positively associated with time in continuous AF, and the presence of persistent or longstanding persistent AF. However, no statistically significant difference was observed in the presence of comorbid conditions, age, BMI, LA volume, or family history of AF among the four groups. After adjusting for diabetes and hypertension in a multivariable linear regression model, paroxysmal AF remained independently and negatively associated with the extent of fibrosis (-4.0 ± 1.8, P = 0.034). Conclusion The extent of LA fibrosis in patients undergoing AF ablation is associated with AF type and time in continuous AF. Our results suggest that the presence and duration of AF are primary determinants of increased atrial LGE.


Author(s):  
Jolien Neefs ◽  
Robin Wesselink ◽  
Nicoline W. E. van den Berg ◽  
Jonas S. S. G. de Jong ◽  
Femke R. Piersma ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) decreases as left atrial (LA) volume increases. However, surgical AF ablation with unknown efficacy is being performed in patients with a giant LA (GLA). We determined efficacy of thoracoscopic AF ablation in patients with compared to without a GLA. Methods Patients underwent thoracoscopic PVI with additional left atrial ablations lines (in persistent AF) and were prospectively followed up. GLA was defined as LA volume index (LAVI) ≥ 50 ml/m2. Follow-up was performed with ECGs and 24-h Holters every 3 months. After a 3-month blanking period, all antiarrhythmic drugs were discontinued. The primary outcome was freedom of any atrial tachyarrhythmia ≥ 30 s during 2 years of follow-up. Results At baseline, 68 (15.4%) patients had a GLA (LAVI: 56.7 [52.4–62.8] ml/m2), while 374 (84.6%) had a smaller LA (LAVI: 34.8 [29.2–41.3] ml/m2). GLA patients were older (61.9 ± 6.9 vs 59.4 ± 8.8 years, p = 0.02), more often diagnosed with persistent AF (76.5% vs 58.6%, p = 0.008). Sex was equally distributed (with approximately 25% females). GLA patients had more recurrences compared to non-GLA patients at 2-year follow-up (42.6% vs 57.2%, log rank p = 0.02). Freedom of AF was 69.0% in non-GLA paroxysmal AF patients compared to 43.8–49.3% in a combined group of GLA and/or persistent AF patients(log rank p < 0.001). Furthermore, freedom was 62.4% in non-GLA male patients, compared to 43.8–47.4 in a combined group of GLA and/or female sex(log rank p = 0.02). Conclusion Thoracoscopic AF ablation is an effective therapy in a substantial part of GLA patients. Thoracoscopic AF ablation may serve as a last resort treatment option in these patients.


Author(s):  
Arjola Bano ◽  
Nicolas Rodondi ◽  
Jürg H. Beer ◽  
Giorgio Moschovitis ◽  
Richard Kobza ◽  
...  

Background Diabetes is a major risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it remains unclear whether individual AF phenotype and related comorbidities differ between patients who have AF with and without diabetes. This study investigated the association of diabetes with AF phenotype and cardiac and neurological comorbidities in patients with documented AF. Methods and Results Participants in the multicenter Swiss‐AF (Swiss Atrial Fibrillation) study with data on diabetes and AF phenotype were eligible. Primary outcomes were parameters of AF phenotype, including AF type, AF symptoms, and quality of life (assessed by the European Quality of Life‐5 Dimensions Questionnaire [EQ‐5D]). Secondary outcomes were cardiac (ie, history of hypertension, myocardial infarction, and heart failure) and neurological (ie, history of stroke and cognitive impairment) comorbidities. The cross‐sectional association of diabetes with these outcomes was assessed using logistic and linear regression, adjusted for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors. We included 2411 patients with AF (27.4% women; median age, 73.6 years). Diabetes was not associated with nonparoxysmal AF (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95% CI, 0.81–1.27). Patients with diabetes less often perceived AF symptoms (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59–0.92) but had worse quality of life (β=−4.54; 95% CI, −6.40 to −2.68) than those without diabetes. Patients with diabetes were more likely to have cardiac (hypertension [OR, 3.04; 95% CI, 2.19–4.22], myocardial infarction [OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.18–2.03], heart failure [OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.57–2.51]) and neurological (stroke [OR, 1.39, 95% CI, 1.03–1.87], cognitive impairment [OR, 1.75, 95% CI, 1.39–2.21]) comorbidities. Conclusions Patients who have AF with diabetes less often perceive AF symptoms but have worse quality of life and more cardiac and neurological comorbidities than those without diabetes. This raises the question of whether patients with diabetes should be systematically screened for silent AF. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique Identifier: NCT02105844.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maisa H. Al Kiyumi ◽  
Zaleikha I. Al Belushi ◽  
Sanjay Jaju ◽  
Abdulaziz M. Al Mahrezi

Objectives: Urinary incontinence (UI) in women is a common health problem which can have a negative impact on quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors and impact of UI on the QOL of Omani women attending primary healthcare centres in Muscat, Oman. Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted at three primary healthcare centres in Muscat from April to August 2018. Women who were 20–50 years of age, not pregnant, not in the six-month postnatal period, not seriously ill and not diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse were included. A self-administered questionnaire using the International Consultation Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form was used to evaluate the frequency, severity and impact of UI on QOL. Results: A total of 1,070 women were included in this study (response rate = 92.5%). The mean age was 31.39 ± 7.64 years. UI was reported by 369 (34.5%) women, of whom 182 (49.3%) had stress UI, 97 (26.3%) had urgency UI, 88 (23.8%) had mixed UI and two (0.5%) had other UI. Age, body mass index (BMI), having been married or employed, hypertension, cough, constipation and vaginal or assisted vaginal delivery during the previous birth were significant risk factors for UI. Only 41 (11.1%) out of the 369 women with UI had ever sought medical advice despite the fact that more than two thirds of the women with UI reported negative effects on their QOL. Conclusion: UI is a common medical problem in Oman. Several risk factors, including age and BMI, were identified. Despite its negative consequences for QOL, women were found to be reluctant to seek medical attention for the condition.Keywords: Urinary Incontinence; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Quality of Life; Oman.


EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Zhang ◽  
I T Fazmin ◽  
A Porto ◽  
K Divulwewa ◽  
A Reddy ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Little is known regarding the aetiology or outcome of atrial fibrillation (AF) occurring in young adults. This retrospective analysis was performed to explore the demographics and efficacy of AF ablation in this population. Methods Patients were included who had undergone ≥1 AF ablation under the age of 40 between 2006-2018. Recurrence was defined as return of either documented AF or previous symptoms for &gt;30s following a 3-month blanking period. Initial exploratory co-variates were included in a univariate analysis and those terms with P-value of &lt;0.1 were then used to generate a Cox proportional-hazards multivariate model. Results 124 patients (33.6 ± 4.7 yrs, 77% men), initially presenting with paroxysmal AF (pAF; n = 97) or persistent AF (n = 27), underwent 175 AF ablation procedures. 22.6% (n = 28) also had atrial flutter. Time from symptom onset to first ablation was 50.7 ± 46.2 months. Relevant cardiovascular-related demographics were analysed: hypertension in 8.9% (n = 11); diabetes in 1.6% (n = 2); positive family history of AF in 12.9% (n = 16); and family history of sudden cardiac death in 2.4% (n = 3). Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 0.35. Of those patients with documented echocardiogram imaging (n = 91), 26.4% (n = 24) had LA dilatation and 6.6% (n = 6) had LV dysfunction. Patients with LA dilatation underwent more ablations (2.3 ± 0.3) compared to controls (1.5 ± 0.1; p &lt; 0.001). Ablation strategy was pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) only in 67.2% (n = 119), with additional ablation in the remaining: roof line in 18.9% (n = 33); cavotricuspid isthmus line in 13.1% (n = 23); mitral isthmus line in 2.3% (n = 4); superior vena cava isolation in 2.3% (n = 4); complex fractionated atrial electrograms in 14.9% (n = 26). Mean procedure time was 155 ± 41 min, mean ablation time was 1657 ± 991 s and mean fluoroscopy time was 32.6 ± 23.4 min. General anaesthesia was used in 43.4% (n = 76). Complications included femoral haematoma (n = 2), tamponade (n = 1) and pulmonary vein stenosis (n = 2). 90 days of follow-up was available for 137 procedures performed for pAF (n = 105) and persistent AF (n = 32). For pAF, overall recurrence was 61.9% for first ablations and 62.9% overall. Recurrence was 56.3% for persistent AF. Factors significantly associated with increased AF recurrence in univariate analysis were male gender (hazard ratio (HR) 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-4.4, p = 0.011), hypertension (HR 0.5, CI: 0.2-1.1, p = 0.067), family history of sudden cardiac death (HR 6.8, CI: 1.6-29.0 , p = 0.010) and enlarged LA size (HR 2.2, CI: 1.3-3.6, p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, the only significant predictor of poor outcome was enlarged LA size (HR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2-3.5, p = 0.011). Conclusions Young patients with AF may have structurally abnormal hearts, and therefore do not only present with lone AF. LA size may be used as a predictor for success. Surveillance imaging may be useful to detect future structural change, which will be the subject of future prospective studies. Abstract Figure. AF ablation recurrence in young adults


CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S112
Author(s):  
S. Patrick ◽  
P. Duke ◽  
K. Lobay ◽  
M. Haager ◽  
B. Deane ◽  
...  

Introduction: Following an emergency department (ED) presentation for acute atrial fibrillation and/or flutter (AF/AFL), patients often experience anxiety, depression and impaired health-related quality of life (QoL). Emergency physicians may prescribe appropriate thrombo-embolic (TE) prophylaxis upon discharge; however, the QoL of these patients is unclear. This study measured the QoL of patients with AF/AFL following discharge to determine the factors associated with QoL. Methods: Patients ≥18 years of age identified by the attending physician as having a diagnosis of acute AF/AFL confirmed by ECG were prospectively enrolled from three Edmonton, AB EDs. Using standardized enrollment forms, trained research assistants collected data on patient demographics factors and management both in the ED and at discharge. Patients’ health-related QoL was assessed up to 20 days after their initial ED visit by a telephone interview based on six domains of the short-form 8 health survey. Results: From a total of 196 enrolled patients, 121 (62%) were male and the mean age was 63 years (standard deviation ±14). Most patients had previous history of AF/AFL (71%), and emergency physicians had the opportunity to treat or revise TE prevention therapy in 19% of the patients. The majority (89%) were discharged with prescriptions for antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents, and 188 (96%) were contacted by telephone at a median of 7 days. Most patients rated their overall health between good and excellent (70%); however, 30% assessed their health as fair or very poor. Many also reported having physical limitations (54%), difficulties completing their daily work (42%), bodily pain (32%) and limitations in social activities (32%). Finally, some patients reported having low energy (25%). At follow up, patients receiving adequate TE prevention rated their health to be similar to those without adequate TE prevention (30% vs 23%; p=0.534). Conclusion: Overall, patients with acute, symptomatic AF/AFL seen in the ED have impairments in health-related QoL following discharge from the ED. Many factors contribute to this impairment; however, providing patients with appropriate TE prophylaxis at discharge did not explain these findings. Further research is required to explore the impact of AF/AFL on patient’s health-related QoL after discharge from the ED.


2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 794-799
Author(s):  
Gabriela A. Caixeta ◽  
Emma E. C. Castro ◽  
Agnaldo L. Silva-Filho ◽  
Fernando M. Reis ◽  
José R. Cunha-Melo ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare the quality of life (QOL) and mental health (MH) of women surviving at least 2 years after treatment for invasive carcinoma of the cervix by radical hysterectomy (RH), chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, or by surgery followed by adjuvant therapy (RH + chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy). The QOL/MH of a control group of women with no history of malignancy was also assessed for comparison with the treated groups.MethodsThe levels of QOL and MH were assessed in 114 Brazilian women (57 patients with an average of 4 years since treatment completion and 57 control subjects). The 36-item Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, the Life Events Inventory, and a general survey for the assessment of sociodemographic data were applied to each participant of the study.ResultsNo differences were noted among the 3 treatment groups or between these and the control group concerning the levels of QOL (either physical or MH aspects), anxiety, general health, or life events. However, lower levels of anxiety were detected in cancer survivors when compared with the control group (P = 0.035).ConclusionsAfter at least 2 years, the QOL and the MH of Brazilian women treated for invasive carcinoma of the cervix were similar to those of women without malignancy and were not affected by the modality of treatment.


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