Quality of life and outcomes after radiofrequency His-bundle catheter ablation and permanent pacemaker implantation: impact of treatment in paroxysmal and established atrial fibrillation

Am Heart J. 1996 Mar;131(3):499-507. doi: 10.1016/s0002-8703(96)90528-1.

Abstract

One hundred seven patients underwent atrioventricular (AV)-junctional ablation and pacing for atrial fibrillation, and 90 were alive 2.3 +/- 1.2 years later. Quality of life index (1.9 +/- 1.2 to 3.6 +/- 1.1; 3.6 +/- 1.1; p<0.001) and ease of activities of daily living (2 +/- 0.4 to 2.4 +/- 0.3; p<0.001) were significantly improved. Doctor visits (10 +/- 13 to 5.06 +/-7; p<0.03), hospital admissions (2.8 +/- 6.8 vs 0.17 +/- 0.54; p<0.03, and antiarrhythmic drug trials (6.2 +/- 4 to 0.46 +/- 1.5; p<0.001) decreased significantly after treatment. Congestive heart failure episodes decreased from 18 before to 8 afterward. Twenty-eight of 36 patients with dual-chamber pacemakers remained in a dual-chamber mode at follow-up. Radiofrequency AV-junctional catheter ablation and pacing is a highly successful form of treatment for medically refractory atrial fibrillation.

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Atrial Fibrillation / therapy*
  • Bundle of His / surgery*
  • Catheter Ablation*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pacemaker, Artificial*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome