Impact of rate versus rhythm control on quality of life in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. Results from a prospective randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the high prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), there are only limited data on quality of life (QoL) stemming from prospective trials comparing rate versus rhythm control. This prospective study evaluated QoL in patients with symptomatic persistent AF randomized to therapy aiming at rate versus rhythm control.


RESULTS
Patients with symptomatic persistent AF (7 to 360 days duration) were prospectively randomized to ventricular rate control (n=125) or to cardioversion and maintenance of sinus rhythm (n=127). QoL was assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form health survey (SF-36) at baseline and during 1 year of follow-up. Changes in QoL were compared on an intent-to-treat basis, and subsequently between patients in sinus rhythm versus AF. At baseline, all SF-36 scales were reduced compared to healthy controls. At 1 year, six of eight items had improved significantly in patients assigned to rate control, and five of eight items on rhythm control (p=ns). The physical component summary showed a comparable increase with both treatment strategies (rate control: p=0.004; rhythm control: p<0.001) whereas no significant changes were found for the mental component summary. At 1 year, 55% of patients reported a positive health transition with no inter-group differences. There were no significant differences in QoL in patients in sinus rhythm or AF at the end of the observation period.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with symptomatic persistent AF, the two treatment strategies of rate versus rhythm control are associated with similar improvements in QoL.
Grönefeld
Gerian C
GC
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, J.W. Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Lilienthal
Jürgen
J
Kuck
Karl Heinz
KH
Hohnloser
Stefan H
SH
D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods*; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone