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Assessment of the quality of life in patients with various forms of atrial fibrillation after cryoballon ablation of the pulmonary veins

Authors: Avanesyan G.A., Filatov A.G., Latipov Sh.A., Shalov R.Z.

Company: Bakoulev National Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Surgery, Moscow, Russian Federation

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Type:  Original articles


DOI: https://doi.org/10.24022/1997-3187-2025-19-3-372-382

For citation: Avanesyan G.A., Filatov A.G., Latipov Sh.A., Shalov R.Z. Assessment of the quality of life in patients with various forms of atrial fibrillation after cryoballon ablation of the pulmonary veins. Creative Cardiology. 2025; 19 (3): 372–382 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.24022/1997-3187-2025-19-3-372-382

Received / Accepted:  31.03.2025 / 30.05.2025

Keywords: atrial fibrillation cryoballon ablation quality of life relapses



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Abstract

Objective. To evaluate changes in the quality of life in patients with various forms of atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent cryoballon ablation (CBA) of the pulmonary vein mouths, depending on the presence of relapses within a year after the intervention.

Material and methods. The study included 156 patients with AF who had undergone CBA. All patients were divided into groups depending on the presence of relapses: a group with relapses (n = 42) and a group without relapses (n = 114). To assess the quality of life, standardized SF-36 questionnaires were used to assess overall physical and mental well-being. Data collection was carried out before surgery and after 12 months of follow-up.

Results. Patients without relapses demonstrated a significant improvement in their quality of life on all scales of the questionnaires. They showed an increase in overall physical well-being (76.00 [73.67–77.83] points versus 55.50 [54.17– 58.75] points in the group with relapses, p < 0.001) and mental state (56.25 [47.00–59.38] points versus 46.75 [43.42– 53.17] points, p < 0.001). The recurrence rate was lower in patients with paroxysmal AF (31.0%) compared with the persistent form (69.0%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion. Cryoballoon ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation, providing not only a reduction in the frequency of relapses, but also a significant improvement in the quality of life of patients. Successful ablation has a particularly beneficial effect on physical and mental well-being, which confirms the importance of achieving stable rhythm control. The results emphasize the need for an individual approach when choosing a treatment strategy, especially in patients with various forms of AF. Further research should be aimed at optimizing ablation techniques and long-term monitoring of their effectiveness.

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About Authors

  • Grayr A. Avanesyan, Cand. Med. Sci., Researcher; ORCID
  • Andrey G. Filatov, Dr. Med. Sci., Head of the Department of X-ray Surgical and Intraoperative Diagnosis and Treatment of Arrhythmias; ORCID
  • Sherzod A. Latipov, Resident Physician; ORCID
  • Ruslan Z. Shalov, Cand. Med. Sci., Junior Researcher; ORCID

Chief Editor

Elena Z. Golukhova, MD, PhD, DSc, Professor, Academician of Russian Academy of Sciences, Director of Bakoulev National Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Surgery


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