The AFEQT quality-of-life score in PVI-SHAM-AF rose from 61.3 to 81.1 after catheter ablation and from 59.2 to 74.9 after a sham, a primary gap that did not separate, while freedom from atrial fibrillation at six months was 73 per cent against 52 per cent. New cardiac rehabilitation guidelines name exercise training, emotional support and personalised education as core components and extend the programme to people with atrial fibrillation.
At nine centres in Germany and Poland, the AFEQT quality-of-life score in PVI-SHAM-AF moved from 61.3 to 81.1 after catheter ablation and from 59.2 to 74.9 after a sham. That primary gap did not separate. The comparison was reported in The Lancet among people with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation.[1]
Freedom from atrial fibrillation at six months was 73 per cent after ablation against 52 per cent after the sham, so the rhythm effect separated while the patient-reported primary score did not. Investigators said people with a different symptom burden, treatment expectation or preference may have selected themselves out. Vascular access complications numbered five, three after ablation and two after the sham.[1]
The first guidelines devoted to cardiac rehabilitation name exercise training, emotional support and personalised education on lifestyle and medication adherence as the core of an individualised programme. The document extends rehabilitation to people with heart failure, congenital heart disease, atrial fibrillation, a replaced heart valve, and cancer patients whose treatment has affected the heart. Two delivery modes are allowed: a hospital-based programme and a digitally enhanced home-based one with remote monitoring for selected patients, with presentation at the ESC Congress scheduled for 31 August.[2]
