Abstract
Background The current study aimed to investigate the effect of ablation therapy on the quality of life (QOL) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) by using a questionnaire specific for AF. Methods and Results A total of 86 patients (paroxysmal/chronic, 61/25) with drug-resistant AF undergoing extensive pulmonary vein isolation were recruited for the study. The QOL was quantitatively assessed by the Atrial Fibrillation Quality of Life Questionnaire at baseline, and 1, 3 and 6 months after the ablation. Sinus rhythm was maintained in 48/61 (79%) of the paroxysmal AF group, and 15/25 (60%) of those in the chronic AF group during 6 months after the initial ablation procedure. Among the patients without any AF recurrences, patients with chronic AF exhibited a substantial improvement in the QOL at 1 month after the procedure, and it remained unchanged until the end of the follow-up period. However, in the patients with paroxysmal AF, the QOL level gradually increased over a 6-month period. The patients with recurrent AF exhibited no improvement in the QOL. Conclusion Although the clinical course of the QOL improvement was different, both paroxysmal and chronic AF patients gained better QOL to maintain sinus rhythm by means of catheter ablation. (Circ J 2008; 72: 582 - 587)
