Persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation evolves from complex arrhythmogenic substrate and sources. Multiple studies have shown improved freedom from arrhythmia recurrences if sinus rhythm had been restored during the index ablation; however, such harder procedural endpoint requires laborious stepwise approach almost invariably pursuing non-pulmonary-vein sources. Longer-term conversion of persistent atrial fibrillation into sinus rhythm is associated with significant improvement in major indices of hemodynamic and functional status; these indices also represent major predictors of cardiovascular mortality. Optimal ablation techniques and strategies preserving most of the individual potential for functional improvement need to be established.

• Keywords
• Atrial Fibrillation, Catheter Ablation, Long-Standing Persistent, Persistent,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

BACKGROUND: Changes in quality of life (QoL) after catheter ablation for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) are not well described. We sought to compare QoL improvement after catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) versus that after LSPAF. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 261 PAF and 126 LSPAF ablation recipients were prospectively followed for arrhythmia recurrence, QoL, hospital stay, and sick leave. In PAF versus LSPAF groups, 1.3±0.6 versus 1.6±0.7 procedures were performed per patient (P<0.00001) during a 3-year follow-up. Good arrhythmia control was achieved in 86% versus 87% of patients (P=0.69) and in 69% versus 69% of patients not receiving antiarrhythmic drugs (P=0.99). The baseline QoL was better in the PAF than in the LSPAF group (European Quality of Life Group instrument self-report questionnaire visual analog scale: 66.4±14.2 versus 61.0±14.2, P=0.0005; European Quality of Life Group 3-level, 5-dimensional descriptive system: 71.4±9.2 versus 67.7±13.8, P=0.002). Postablation 3-year increase in QoL was significant in both groups (all P<0.00001) and significantly lower in PAF versus LSPAF patients (visual analog scale: +5.0±14.5 versus +10.2±12.8, P=0.001; descriptive system: +5.9±14.3 versus +9.3±13.9, P=0.03). In multivariate analysis, LSPAF, less advanced age, shorter history of AF and good arrhythmia control were consistently associated with postablation 3-year improvement in QoL. Days of hospital stay for cardiovascular reasons and days on sick leave per patient/year were significantly reduced in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with LSPAF had worse baseline QoL. The magnitude of QoL improvement after ablation of LSPAF was significantly greater compared with after ablation of PAF, particularly when good arrhythmia control was achieved without the use of antiarrhythmic drugs.

• Keywords
• atrial fibrillation, long‐standing persistent, paroxysmal, quality of life,
• MeSH
• Activities of Daily Living MeSH
• Depression MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Atrial Fibrillation physiopathology   surgery   MeSH
• Hospitalization statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Catheter Ablation * MeSH
• Cohort Studies MeSH
• Quality of Life * MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Follow-Up Studies MeSH
• Sick Leave statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Recurrence MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Anxiety MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH