Effect of left atrial ablation on the quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation

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.