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Quality of life and exercise performance in patients in sinus rhythm versus persistent atrial fibrillation: a Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program Substudy.

Authors :
Singh SN
Tang XC
Singh BN
Dorian P
Reda DJ
Harris CL
Fletcher RD
Sharma SC
Atwood JE
Jacobson AK
Lewis HD Jr
Lopez B
Raisch DW
Ezekowitz MD
Source :
Journal of the American College of Cardiology [J Am Coll Cardiol] 2006 Aug 15; Vol. 48 (4), pp. 721-30. Date of Electronic Publication: 2006 Jul 24.
Publication Year :
2006

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine quality of life (QOL) and exercise performance (EP) in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) converted to sinus rhythm (SR) compared with those remaining in or reverting to AF.<br />Background: Restoration of SR in patients with AF improving QOL and EP remains controversial.<br />Methods: Patients with persistent AF were randomized double-blind to amiodarone, sotalol, or placebo. Those not achieving SR at day 28 were cardioverted and classified into SR or AF groups at 8 weeks (n = 624) and 1 year (n = 556). The QOL (SF-36), symptom checklist (SCL), specific activity scale (SAS), AF severity scale (AFSS), and EP were assessed.<br />Results: Favorable changes were seen in SR patients at 8 weeks in physical functioning (p < 0.001), physical role limitations (p = 0.03), general health (p = 0.002), and vitality (p < 0.001), and at 1 year in general health (p = 0.007) and social functioning (p = 0.02). Changes in the scores for SCL severity (p = 0.01), functional capacity (p = 0.003), and AFSS symptom burden (p < 0.001) at 8 weeks and in SCL severity (p < 0.01) and AF symptom burden (p < 0.001) at 1 year showed significant improvements in SR versus AF. Symptomatic patients were more likely to have improvement. The EP in SR versus AF was greater from baseline to 8 weeks (p = 0.01) and to 1 year (p = 0.02). The EP correlated with physical functioning and functional capacity except in the AF group at 1 year.<br />Conclusions: In patients with persistent AF, restoration and maintenance of SR was associated with improvements in QOL measures and EP. There was a strong correlation between QOL measures and EP.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1558-3597
Volume :
48
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
16904540
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2006.03.051