Cited by 285Cardiac Arrhythmias and TreatmentsAtrial Fibrillation Management and OutcomesCardiac Health and Mental Health

Effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation on health-related quality of life and activities of daily living in patients with recurrent arrhythmias

Bubien, Rosemary S., Knotts-Dolson, Susan M., Plumb, Vance J., Kay, G. Neal·1996·Circulation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although radiofrequency catheter ablation can be used to effectively treat a variety of arrhythmias, the effects of this procedure on health-related quality of life have not been systematically studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: The SF-36 (a measure of general health status), the Symptom Checklist-Frequency and Severity Scale (an instrument specific for cardiac arrhythmias), and an Activities of Daily Living questionnaire were used to assess quality of life in 161 patients before radiofrequency catheter ablation. These same instruments were used to measure quality of life 1 and 6 months after ablation with complete data in 159 of the original 161 patients. Before ablation, SF-36 scores of the study population were low compared with the US normative data base reflecting significant impairment in physical functioning and well-being. The lowest scores were reported by patients with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Catheter ablation was associated with significant improvement in quality of life that was sustained over the 6 months after ablation. Improvements were measured in both the generic SF-36 health status questionnaire and the disease-specific Symptom Checklist-Frequency and Severity Scale. Catheter ablation was followed by improved performance of activities of daily living and a marked decrease in the number of visits to physicians and emergency rooms in the 6 months after ablation compared with the 6 months before ablation. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency catheter ablation improves the health-related quality of life for patients with a variety of cardiac arrhythmias.

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Crossref · 10.1161/01.cir.94.7.1585

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Authors
Bubien, R. S., Knotts-Dolson, S. M., Plumb, V. J., & Kay, G. N.
Affiliations
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham (US)
  • the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Venue
Circulation
Published
1996-10
Volume
94
Issue
7
Pages
1585-1591
ISSN
  • 0009-7322 (ISSN-L)
  • 1524-4539
OpenAlex
W1971423330
Cited by
284
References
20
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 14
FWCI
10.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Circulation (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac Arrhythmias and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac Health and Mental Health
Keywords
radiofrequency catheter ablation, health-related quality of life, activities of daily living, recurrent arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, SF-36, emergency department visits, physical function
MeSH terms
Activities of Daily Living, Adult, Aged, Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Female, Health Status, Heart Diseases, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Recurrence, Tachycardia, Supraventricular, Treatment Outcome, Catheter Ablation

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