BACKGROUND: Maze surgery for atrial fibrillation (AF) is a curative therapy, but its effect on health-related quality of life has not been studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: Maze operations were performed in 48 patients with drug-refractory AF. The majority of patients (80%) had lone AF, and the primary indication for surgery in all patients was AF. The SF-36 Health Survey was used to assess quality of life before operation and at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Twenty-five patients were available for the 1-year follow-up and completed all questionnaires. Before maze surgery, the SF-36 scores were significantly lower than in the general Swedish population, reflecting significant impairment in well-being, physical and social functioning, and mental health. After maze surgery, the quality of life was significantly improved at 6 months and at 1 year on all scales except for bodily pain, which, however, was not significantly decreased before surgery. At both 6 months and 1 year after maze surgery, quality of life, measured by the SF-36, reached the levels of the general Swedish population. CONCLUSIONS: The maze operation can significantly improve the health-related quality of life in selected groups of patients with both paroxysmal and chronic AF refractory to antiarrhythmic therapy.
BACKGROUND: Maze surgery for atrial fibrillation (AF) is a curative therapy, but its effect on health-related quality of life has not been studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: Maze operations were performed in 48 patients with drug-refractory AF. The majority of patients (80%) had lone AF, and the primary indication for surgery in all patients was AF. The SF-36 Health Survey was used to assess quality of life before operation and at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Twenty-five patients were available for the 1-year follow-up and completed all questionnaires. Before maze surgery, the SF-36 scores were significantly lower than in the general Swedish population, reflecting significant impairment in well-being, physical and social functioning, and mental health. After maze surgery, the quality of life was significantly improved at 6 months and at 1 year on all scales except for bodily pain, which, however, was not significantly decreased before surgery. At both 6 months and 1 year after maze surgery, quality of life, measured by the SF-36, reached the levels of the general Swedish population. CONCLUSIONS: The maze operation can significantly improve the health-related quality of life in selected groups of patients with both paroxysmal and chronic AF refractory to antiarrhythmic therapy.
Authors: Lephuong Ong; Robert Cribbie; Louise Harris; Paul Dorian; David Newman; Iqwal Mangat; Robert Nolan; Jane Irvine Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2006-07-07 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Anders Jönsson; Mika Lehto; Henrik Ahn; Ulf Hermansson; Peter Linde; Anders Ahlsson; Juhani Koistinen; Jukka Savola; Pekka Raatikainen; Martti Lepojärvi; Antero Sahlman; Kalervo Werkkala; Lauri Toivonen; Håkan Walfridsson Journal: J Atr Fibrillation Date: 2012-08-20
Authors: Spencer J Melby; Andreas Zierer; Jordon G Lubahn; Marci S Bailey; James L Cox; Richard B Schuessler; Ralph J Damiano Journal: Innovations (Phila) Date: 2008-05-01
Authors: S Yuda; S Nakatani; Y Kosakai; T Satoh; Y Goto; M Yamagishi; K Bando; S Kitamura; K Miyatake Journal: Heart Date: 2004-01 Impact factor: 5.994