Assessment of long-term quality of life after cavotricuspid isthmus ablation for typical atrial flutter.
BACKGROUND
Cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation is the treatment of choice in preventing recurrences of typical atrial flutter (AFl). However, little is known about long-term quality of life (QoL) after CTI ablation.


RESULTS
From 01/2003 to 05/2005, 94 patients who consecutively underwent typical AFl ablation were included in the study. An SF-36 health questionnaire was self-administered before ablation and at follow-up. Transformed scores were calculated, adjusted for age and sex and then normalized and standardized for the Spanish population. Additionally, the minimal important differences (MID) were calculated to assess the smallest change in QoL that patients perceived as positive. A linear regression model was constructed to assess long-term QoL predictors. All SF-36 scales were lower than Spanish population scores. After a mean (SD) follow-up of 6.25 (0.5) years, all scales, except Bodily Pain, were higher than baseline. There was a significant difference for Physical Role (46.4 vs. 38.6, p < 0.001), Vitality (44.4 vs. 41.9, p = 0.038) and Mental Health (46.1 vs. 42.0, p = 0.001). However, only Physical Role achieved the criteria for MID. Recurrence of AFl, basal QoL, history of diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation and oral anticoagulation were predictors of long-term QoL.


CONCLUSIONS
CTI ablation provides a significant improvement in long-term QoL for the dimensions of Physical Role, Vitality and Mental Health, although the smallest positive change that patients perceive as positive was only observed for Physical Role. Previous diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, oral anticoagulation, basal QoL and AFl recurrence were determinants of a worse long-term QoL.
Cardiology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Choupana, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. pilicgrandio@yahoo.es.
Pilar
P
Cabanas-Grandío
Javier
J
García-Seara
Francisco
F
Gude
José Luis
JL
Martínez-Sande
Xesús Alberte
XA
Fernández-López
José R
JR
González-Juanatey
D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires