Quality of life and cost for patients with premature ventricular contractions by radiofrequency catheter ablation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the quality of life (QoL), health-care resource utilization, and cost for the patients with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) by radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).


METHODS
RFCA was performed in 58 patients with symptomatic PVCs that were refractory/easy to medication. A 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring, QoL, health-care resources utilization, and cost were assessed at a screening visit and 3 and 12 months after RFCA.


RESULTS
RFCA was successfully performed in 56 patients (96.6%). This resulted in a significant improvement in the QoL at 3 and 12 months after the procedure. There were no major complications related to the procedure. Nine patients (15.5%) had residual arrhythmia. Seven of them underwent repeated ablation with successful results. It also improved the QoL and reduced health-care resource utilization and cost.


CONCLUSIONS
RFCA is a safe and effective treatment for PVCs, and it is a viable alternative to drugs in the presence of disabling symptoms.
Huang
Cong-Xin
CX
Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, China. huangcongxin@yahoo.com.cn
Liang
Jin-Jun
JJ
Yang
Bo
B
Jiang
Hong
H
Tang
Qi-Zhu
QZ
Liu
Xiu-Juan
XJ
Wan
Wei-Guo
WG
Jian
Xiao-Li
XL
D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018879:Ventricular Premature Complexes / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology