Assessment of Atrial Fibrillation-Specific Symptoms Before and 2 Years After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Do Patients and Physicians Differ in Their Perception of Symptom Relief?

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate patient-reported and physician-assessed atrial fibrillation (AF)-related symptoms after AF ablation.

Background: Success of AF ablation is usually defined as freedom from AF, although symptom relief is often patients' desire.

Methods: Symptom relief was assessed as perceived by patients using the short, validated, AF-specific symptom questionnaire AF6 and as classified by physicians using the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) classification at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months after AF ablation.

Patient-Reported Outcomes in Relation to Continuously Monitored Rhythm Before and During 2 Years After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Using a Disease-Specific and a Generic Instrument.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation improves patient-reported outcomes, irrespective of mode of intermittent rhythm monitoring. We evaluated the use of an AF-specific and a generic patient-reported outcomes instrument during continuous rhythm monitoring 2 years after AF ablation.

Methods And Results: Fifty-four patients completed the generic 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey and the AF-specific AF6 questionnaires before and 6, 12, and 24 months after AF ablation.

Low Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of stroke. Therefore, all patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) should be examined with 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and continuous monitoring to detect AF. Current guidelines recommend at least 24 h continuous ECG monitoring, which is primarily based on studies investigating patients with ischemic stroke.

Rhythm Control and Its Relation to Symptoms during the First Two Years after Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.

Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique Identifier: NCT00697359.