Changes in quality of life, cognition and functional status following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

ObjectiveTo investigate changes in quality of life (QoL), cognition and functional status according to arrhythmia recurrence after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.MethodsWe compared QoL, cognition and functional status in patients with recurrent atrial tachycardia (AT)/AF versus those without recurrent AT/AF in the AXAFA–AFNET 5 clinical trial. We also sought to identify factors associated with improvement in QoL and functional status following AF ablation by overall change scores with and without analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).ResultsAmong 518 patients who underwent AF ablation, 154 (29.7%) experienced recurrent AT/AF at 3 months. Patients with recurrent AT/AF had higher mean CHA2DS2-VASc scores (2.8 vs 2.3, p<0.001) and more persistent forms of AF (51 vs 39%, p=0.012). Median changes in the SF-12 physical (3 (25th, 75th: −1, 8) vs 1 (−5, 8), p=0.026) and mental scores (2 (−3, 9) vs 0 (−4, 5), p=0.004), EQ-5D (0 (0,2) vs 0 (−0.1, 0.1), p=0.027) and Karnofsky functional status scores (10 (0, 10) vs 0 (0, 10), p=0.001) were more favourable in patients without recurrent AT/AF. In the overall cohort, the proportion with at least mild cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment <26) declined from 30.3% (n=157) at baseline to 21.8% (n=113) at follow-up. ANCOVA identified greater improvement in Karnofsky functional status (p<0.001) but not SF-12 physical (p=0.238) or mental scores (p=0.065) in those without recurrent AT/AF compared with patients with recurrent AT/AF.ConclusionsPatients without recurrent AT/AF appear to experience greater improvement in functional status but similar QoL as those with recurrent AT/AF after AF ablation.

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The fate of patients after failed epicardial ablation of atrial fibrillation

Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery ◽

10.1186/s13019-021-01635-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Giuseppe Nasso ◽

Roberto Lorusso ◽

Arash Motekallemi ◽

Angelo M. Dell’Aquila ◽

Nicola Di Bari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Long Term Outcome ◽

Af Ablation ◽

Af Recurrence

Abstract Background Much debate is still going on about the best ablation strategy—via endocardial or epicardial approach—in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and evidence gaps exist in current guidelines in this area. More specifically, there are no clear long-term outcome data after failed surgical AF ablation. Methods Since June 2008, 549 surgical AF ablation procedures through a right minithoracotomy were performed at our institution. From 2008 to 2011, a unipolar radiofrequency device was used (151 patients), whereas from 2011 to 2020 a bipolar radiofrequency device was used (398 patients). Patients were scheduled for surgery on the basis of the following criteria: recurrent episodes of paroxysmal or persistent lone AF refractory to maximally tolerated antiarrhythmic drug dosing and at least one failed cardioversion attempt. Besides the recommended follow-up by the local cardiologist, starting from 2021, surviving patients were asked to undergo assessment of left ventricular function and to complete a questionnaire addressing quality of life and predisposing factors for recurrent AF. Results At a mean follow-up of 77 months, the rate of AF recurrence was 20.7% (n = 114). On multivariate analysis, impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (58 patients, 51%, p = 0.002), worsening of European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) symptom class (37 patients, 32%, p = 0.003) and cognitive decline or depression (23 patients, 20%, p = 0.023) during follow-up were found to be significantly associated with AF recurrence. Conclusions Surgical AF ablation through a right minithoracotomy is safe, but a better outcome could be achieved using a hybrid approach. Patients after initial failed surgical AF ablation show worsening of cardiac function, clinical status and quality of life at follow-up compared to patients with successful AF ablation.

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357 Factors associated with changes in health-related quality of life in children with cystic fibrosis during one-year follow-up

Journal of Cystic Fibrosis ◽

10.1016/s1569-1993(17)30694-x ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 ◽

pp. S154

Author(s):

M. Van Horck ◽

B. Winkens ◽

G. Wesseling ◽

K. de Winter-de Groot ◽

I. De Vreede ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cystic Fibrosis ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

One Year

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Quality of Life and Hemodynamic Effects of Switching From Hemodialysis to Hemodiafiltration: A Canadian Controlled Cohort Study

Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease ◽

10.1177/20543581211057717 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 205435812110577

Author(s):

Isabelle Ethier ◽

Immaculate Nevis ◽

Rita S. Suri

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Recovery Time ◽

Randomized Clinical Trials ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Intradialytic Hypotension ◽

Laboratory Values

Background: Recent randomized clinical trials have demonstrated beneficial effects of hemodiafiltration (HDF) compared with hemodialysis (HD) on mortality and hemodynamic stability. Data on quality of life in HDF compared with HD is limited. Objective: This study aimed to determine whether patients receiving HD experience improvements in quality of life, hemodynamic and laboratory parameters after switching to HDF. Design: Observational controlled cohort study. Setting & Patients: Adult patients receiving maintenance dialysis were followed for 3 months both before and after transfer to a new unit, where they received HDF. Prior to transfer, control patients were already treated by HDF. Methods: Quality of life at baseline and follow-up was measured using the validated minutes to recovery (MR) question. Dialysis data were collected for 3 consecutive sessions monthly; laboratory values were collected monthly. Wilcoxon signed rank test and repeated measures analysis of covariance were used to evaluate pre/post transfer changes and quantile regression to identify predictors of change in recovery time. Results: Of 227 patients, 82 died, were transplanted, were hospitalized or did not transfer, leaving 123 subjects and 22 controls for analysis. MR did not improve with switching to HDF, although patients with MR > 60 min before transfer experienced a significant decrease in their MR, compared with controls. There was no improvement in intradialytic hypotension with HDF. There were no differences in laboratory values before vs after switch. Limitations: Nonrandomized single-center study, including only small numbers of patients and covering a short follow-up period; hemodynamic values only evaluated over 1 week per month; residual kidney function not recorded. Conclusions: In this Canadian experience of HDF, patients remained stable with respect to several laboratory and dialysis related parameters. Switch to HDF was associated with substantially reduced recovery time in patients with MR > 60 minutes at baseline.

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Clinically Meaningful Change in Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among Older Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Journal of the American Heart Association ◽

10.1161/jaha.120.016651 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (18) ◽

Author(s):

Hawa O. Abu ◽

Jane S. Saczynski ◽

Jordy Mehawej ◽

Mayra Tisminetzky ◽

Catarina I. Kiefe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Older Patients ◽

Logistic Models ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Meaningful Change ◽

Patient Centered ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Fair Poor

Background Among older patients with atrial fibrillation, there are limited data examining clinically meaningful changes in quality of life (QoL). We examined the extent of, and factors associated with, clinically meaningful change in QoL over 1‐year among older adults with atrial fibrillation. Methods and Results Patients from cardiology, electrophysiology, and primary care clinics in Massachusetts and Georgia were enrolled in a cohort study (2015–2018). The Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality‐of‐Life questionnaire was used to assess overall QoL and across 3 subscales: symptoms, daily activities, and treatment concern. Clinically meaningful change in QoL (ie, difference between 1‐year and baseline QoL score) was categorized as either a decline (≤−5.0 points), no clinically meaningful change (−5.0 to +5.0 points), or an increase (≥+5.0 points). Ordinal logistic models were used to examine factors associated with QoL changes. Participants (n=1097) were on average 75 years old, 48% were women, and 87% White. Approximately 40% experienced a clinically meaningful increase in QoL and 1 in every 5 patients experienced a decline in QoL. After multivariable adjustment, women, non‐Whites, those who reported depressive and anxiety symptoms, fair/poor self‐rated health, low social support, heart failure, or diabetes mellitus experienced clinically meaningful declines in QoL. Conclusions These findings provide insights to the magnitude of, and factors associated with, clinically meaningful change in QoL among older patients with atrial fibrillation. Assessment of comorbidities and psychosocial factors may help identify patients at high risk for declining QoL and those who require additional surveillance to maximize important clinical and patient‐centered outcomes.

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Spinal Cord Stimulation Is Effective in Management of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome I: Fact or Fiction

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/neu.0b013e3182181e60 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 69 (3) ◽

pp. 566-580 ◽

Cited By ~ 71

Author(s):

Krishna Kumar ◽

Syed Rizvi ◽

Sharon Bishop Bnurs

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Functional Status ◽

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome ◽

Spinal Cord Stimulation ◽

Pain Syndrome ◽

Sf 36

Abstract BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) I is a debilitating neuropathic pain disorder characterized by burning pain and allodynia. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is effective in the treatment of CRPS I in the medium term but its long-term efficacy and ability to improve functional status remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of SCS to improve pain, functional status, and quality of life in the long term. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 25 patients over a mean follow-up period of 88 months. The parameters for evaluation were visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) and Short Form 36 (SF-36), and drug consumption. Evaluations were conducted at point of entry, 3 months, 12 months, and last follow-up at 88 months (mean). RESULTS: At baseline, the mean scores were VAS 8.4, ODI 70%, BDI 28, EQ-5D 0.30, and SF-36 24. In general, maximum improvement was recorded at follow-up at 3 months (VAS 4.8, ODI 45%, BDI 15, EQ-5D 0.57, and SF-36 45). At last follow-up, scores were 5.6, 50%, 19, 0.57, and 40, respectively. Despite some regression, at last follow-up benefits were maintained and found to be statistically significant (P < .001) compared with baseline. Medication usage declined. SCS did not prevent disease spread to other limbs. Best results were achieved in stage I CRPS I, patients under 40 years of age, and those receiving SCS within 1 year of disease onset. CONCLUSION: SCS improves pain, quality of life, and functional status over the long term and consequently merits early consideration in the treatment continuum.

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