title: A Randomised Controlled Trial on the Effect of Nurse-Led Educational Intervention at the Time of Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation on Quality of Life, Symptom Severity and Rehospitalisation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a common condition associated with impaired quality of life (QOL) and recurrent hospitalisation. Catheter ablation for AF is a well-established treatment for symptomatic patients despite medical therapy. We sought to examine the effect of point specific nurse-led education on QOL, AF symptomatology and readmission rate post AF ablation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one patients undergoing AF ablation were randomised to Nurse Intervention (NI) versus Control (C), n=22 vs. 19. Both groups were well matched with respect to age, sex and AF subtype. All patients completed SF36 and AF Symptom Checklist, Frequency and Severity Scale questionnaires at baseline and six months post ablation. The NI group underwent nurse education on admission, prior to discharge, and with telephone contact.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline SF-36 and AF Symptom Checklist, Frequency and Severity scores were similar. The NI group showed significant differences compared to Control with respect to higher QOL on the SF-36 score of Physical Functioning and Vitality at six months. There were significant improvements in seven components of the AF Symptom Checklist, Frequency and Severity at six months in the NI group with a trend in a further seven. There was no difference in AF related hospital readmissions at six months between C and NI groups (10.5% vs. 13.6%, p=ns).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurse-led education at time of AF ablation is associated with improved QOL and reduced symptom frequency and severity compared to usual care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bowyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Phillip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Tully
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Anand N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Ganesan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Fahd K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Chahadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Cameron B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Singleton
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Electronic address: Andrew.McGavigan@health.sa.gov.au.
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: McGavigan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D004506:Education, Nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009729:Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Ablation; Catheter Ablation; Trials