Skip to main content

Abstract

In recent years, radical changes have been observed in the treatment of disturbances in cardiac rhythm. Multicenter clinical studies have allowed for better understanding of the pathogenesis of rhythm disturbances. Treatment options have been aimed at reducing mortality and improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Despite advances in pharmacotherapy and electrotherapy, many patients with rhythm disturbances experience various symptoms which often do not allow them to participate in everyday activities. Though the circumstances surrounding the occurrence of arrhythmia are unpredictable, the QoL of patients is influenced by the frequency and duration of attacks as well as the degree to which symptoms are exacerbated. Sudden and frequent hospitalizations due to arrhythmia as well as the side effects of antiarrhythmic drugs also constitute a severe burden for patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Jenkins LS, Brodsky M, Schron E et al (2005) Quality of life in atrial fibrillation: the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) study. Am Heart J 149:112–120

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Luderitz B, Jung W (2000) Quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation. Arch Intern Med 160:1749–1757

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Gill TM, Feinstein AR (1994) A critical appraisal of the quality of quality-of-life measurements. JAMA 272:619–626

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Ware JE, Jr, Kosinski M, Bayliss MS et al (1995) Comparison of methods for the scoring and statistical analysis of SF-36 health profile and summary measures: summary of results from the Medical Outcomes Study. Med Care 33(Suppl 4):S264–279

    Google Scholar 

  5. Kang Y, Bahler R (2004) Health-related quality of life in patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs 3:71–76

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bubien RS, Knotts-Dolson SM, Plumb VJ et al (1996) Effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation on health-related quality of life and activities of daily living in patients with recurrent arrhythmias. Circulation 94:1585–1591

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Brignole M, Gianfranchi L, Menozzi C et al (1994) Influence of atrioventricular junction radiofrequency ablation in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and flutter on quality of life and cardiac performance. Am J Cardiol 74:242–246

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Dougherty CM, Dewhurst T, Nichol WP et al (1998) Comparison of three quality of life instruments in stable angina pectoris: Seattle Angina Questionnaire, Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Quality of Life Index-Cardiac Version III. J Clin Epidemiol 51:569–575

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Middel B, Bouma J, de Jongste M et al (2001) Psychometric properties of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHF-Q). Clin Rehabil 15:489–500

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Ganiats TG, Palinkas LA, Kaplan RM (1992) Comparison of Quality of Well-Being scale and Functional Status Index in patients with atrial fibrillation. Med Care 30:958–964

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kay GN, Bubien RS, Epstein AE et al (1988) Effect of catheter ablation of the atrioventricular junction on quality of life and exercise tolerance in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol 62:741–744

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Levy T, Walker S, Rex S et al (2000) Ablate and pace for drug refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Is ablation necessary? Int J Cardiol 75:187–195

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Menozzi C, Brignole M, Moracchini PV et al (1990) Intrapatient comparison between chronic VVIR and DDD pacing in patients affected by high degree AV block without heart failure. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 13:1816–1822

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ogawa S, Yamashita T, Yamazaki T (2009) Optimal treatment strategy for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation J-RHYTHM Study. Circulation 73:242–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Arribas F, Ormaetxe JM, Peinado R et al (2010) Validation of the AF-QoL, a disease-specific quality of life questionnaire for patients with atrial fibrillation. Europace 12:364–370

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Spertus J, Dorian P, Bubien R et al (2011) Development and validation of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-Life (AFEQT) questionnaire in patients with atrial fibrillation. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 4:15–25

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Savelieva I, Paquette M, Dorian P et al (2001) Quality of life in patients with silent atrial fibrillation. Heart 85:216–217

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Dorian P, Jung W, Newman D et al (2000) The impairment of health-related quality of life in patients with intermittent atrial fibrillation: implications for the assessment of investigational therapy. J Am Coll Cardiol 36:1303–1309

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Deaton C, Dunbar SB, Moloney M et al (2003) Patient experiences with atrial fibrillation and treatment with implantable atrial defibrillation therapy. Heart Lung 32:291–299

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Guédon-Moreau L, Capucci A, Denjoy I (2010) Impact of the control of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation on health-related quality of life. Europace 12:634–642

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Hagens VE, Ranchor AV, Van Sonderen E et al (2004) Effect of rate or rhythm control on quality of life in persistent atrial fibrillation. Results from the Rate Control Versus Electrical Cardioversion (RACE) Study. J Am Coll Cardiol 43:241–247

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Dorian P, Paquette M, Newman D et al (2002) Quality of life improves with treatment in the Canadian Trial of Atrial Fibrillation. Am Heart J 143:984–990

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Packer DL, Munger TM, Johnson SB et al (1997) Mechanism of lethal proarrhythmia observed in the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial: role of adrenergic modulation of drug binding. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 20:455–467

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Carlsson J, Miketic S, Windeler J et al (2003) Randomized trial of rate-control versus rhythm-control in persistent atrial fibrillation: the Strategies of Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (STAF) study. J Am Coll Cardiol 41:1690–1696

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Hagens VE, Crijns HJ, Van Veldhuisen DJ et al (2005) Rate control versus rhythm control for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation with mild to moderate heart failure: results from the RAte Control versus Electrical cardioversion (RACE) study. Am Heart J 149:1106–1111

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Hohnloser SH, Kuck KH (2001) Randomized trial of rhythm or rate control in atrial fibrillation: the Pharmacological Intervention in Atrial Fibrillation Trial (PIAF). Eur Heart J 22:801–812

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Fung JW, Chan SK, Yeung LY, Sanderson JE (2002) Is beta-blockade useful in heart failure patients with atrial fibrillation? An analysis of data from two previously completed prospective trials. Eur J Heart Fail 4:489–494

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Kay GN, Ellenbogen KA, Giudici M et al (1998) The Ablate and Pace Trial: a prospective study of catheter ablation of the AV conduction system and permanent pacemaker implantation for treatment of atrial fibrillation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2:121–135

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Brignole M, Menozzi C, Gianfranchi L et al (1998) Assessment of atrioventricular junction ablation and VVIR pacemaker versus pharmacological treatment in patients with heart failure and chronic atrial fibrillation: a randomized, controlled study. Circulation 98:953–960

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Wood MA, Brown-Mahoney C, Kay GN et al (2000) Clinical outcomes after ablation and pacing therapy for atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis. Circulation 101:1138–1144

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Thrall G, Lane D, Carroll D et al (2006) Quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review. Am J Med 119:e1–19

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Lönnerholm S, Blomstrom P, Nilsson L et al (2000) Effects of the maze operation on health-related quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation. Circulation 101:2607–2611

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Pappone C, Rosanio S, Augello G et al (2003) Mortality, morbidity, and quality of life after circumferential pulmonary vein ablation for atrial fibrillation: outcomes from a controlled non-randomized long-term study. J Am Coll Cardiol 42:185–197

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Gerstenfeld EP, Guerra P, Sparks PB et al (2001) Clinical outcome after radiofrequency catheter ablation of focal atrial fibrillation triggers. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 12:900–908

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Wazni OM, Marrouche NF, Martin DO et al (2005) Radiofrequency ablation vs antiarrhythmic drugs as first-line treatment of symptomatic atrial fibrillation: A randomized trial. JAMA 293:2634–2640

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Tondo C, Mantica M, Russo G et al (2006) Pulmonary vein vestibule ablation for the control of atrial fibrillation in patients with impaired left ventricular function. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 29:962–970

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Wokhlu A, Monahan KH, Hodge DO et al (2010) Long-term quality of life after ablation of atrial fibrillation. The impact of recurrence, symptom relief, and placebo effect. JACC 25:2308–2316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Lane DA, Lip GYH (2009) Quality of life in older people with atrial fibrillation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 25:37–42

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Reynolds MR, Ellis E, Zimetbaum P et al (2008) Quality of Life in Atrial Fibrillation: Measurement Tools and Impact of Interventions. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 19:762–768

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Jessurun ER, van Hemel NM, Defauw JJ et al (2003) A randomized study of combining maze surgery for atrial fibrillation with mitral valve surgery. J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino) 44:9–18

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Lau CP, Tai YT, Lee PW (1995) The effects of radiofrequency ablation versus medical therapy on the quality-of-life and exercise capacity in patients with accessory pathway-mediated supraventricular tachycardia: a treatment comparison study. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 18:424–432

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Bathina MN, Mickelsen S, Brooks C et al (1998) Radiofrequency catheter ablation versus medical therapy for initial treatment of supraventricular tachycardia and its impact on quality of life and healthcare costs. Am J Cardiol 82:589–593

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Goldberg AS, Bathina MN, Mickelsen S et al (2002) Long-term outcomes on quality-of-life and health care costs in patients with supraventricular tachycardia (radiofrequency catheter ablation versus medical therapy). Am J Cardiol 89:1120–1123

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Schaer B, Corn TA, Osswald S (2002) Radiofrequency ablation of supraventricular re-entry tachycardia: a “new life” with a successful and complications-free method. Schweiz Rundsch MedPrax 91:216–222

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Meissner A, Stifoudi I, Weismüller P et al (2009) Sustained high quality of life in a 5-year long term follow-up after successful ablation for supra-ventricular tachycardia. Results from a large retrospective patient cohort. Int J Med Sci 6:28–36

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Kesek M, Tollefsen T, Glund NH et al (2009) U22, a protocol to quantify symptoms associated with supraventricular tachycardia. PACE 32:S105–S108

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Rose MS, Koshman ML, Spreng S et al (2000) The relationship between health-related quality of life and frequency of spells in patients with syncope. J Clin Epidemiol 53:1209–1216

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Linzer M, Pontinen M, Gold DT et al (1991) Impairment of physical and psychosocial function in recurrent syncope. J Clin Epidemiol 44:1037–1043

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Sheldon R, Rose S, Flanagan P et al (1996) Effect of beta blockers on the time to first syncope recurrence in patients after a positive isoproterenol tilt table test. Am J Cardiol 78:536–539

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Sheldon RS, Amuah JE, Connolly SJ et al (2009) Effect of metoprolol on quality of life in the Prevention of Syncope trial. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 20:1083–1088

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bogumiła Bacior .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer-Verlag Italia

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Bacior, B., Styczkiewicz, K. (2013). Quality of Life in Patients with Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances. In: Kawecka-Jaszcz, K., Klocek, M., Tobiasz-Adamczyk, B., Bulpitt, C.J. (eds) Health-Related Quality of Life in Cardiovascular Patients. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2769-5_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2769-5_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-2768-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2769-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics