Effects of the maze operation on health-related quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation.
BACKGROUND
Maze surgery for atrial fibrillation (AF) is a curative therapy, but its effect on health-related quality of life has not been studied.


RESULTS
Maze operations were performed in 48 patients with drug-refractory AF. The majority of patients (80%) had lone AF, and the primary indication for surgery in all patients was AF. The SF-36 Health Survey was used to assess quality of life before operation and at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Twenty-five patients were available for the 1-year follow-up and completed all questionnaires. Before maze surgery, the SF-36 scores were significantly lower than in the general Swedish population, reflecting significant impairment in well-being, physical and social functioning, and mental health. After maze surgery, the quality of life was significantly improved at 6 months and at 1 year on all scales except for bodily pain, which, however, was not significantly decreased before surgery. At both 6 months and 1 year after maze surgery, quality of life, measured by the SF-36, reached the levels of the general Swedish population.


CONCLUSIONS
The maze operation can significantly improve the health-related quality of life in selected groups of patients with both paroxysmal and chronic AF refractory to antiarrhythmic therapy.
Lönnerholm
S
S
Department of Cardiology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Blomström
P
P
Nilsson
L
L
Oxelbark
S
S
Jideus
L
L
Blomström-Lundqvist
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome