The effects of different preventive counseling programs on stress level in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation

Abstract

Abstract Background Stressful life events may trigger paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic stress is known to negatively affect long-term outcomes in cardiovascular diseases. Purpose To assess the impact of different preventive counseling programs on stress level in patients (pts) after catheter ablation (CA) performed for paroxysmal AF. Methods This is a prospective randomized controlled study with 3 parallel groups of pts with paroxysmal AF after CA (radiofrequency or cryoablation). Pts were randomized into 3 groups in 1:1:1 ratio. During hospitalization for CA pts from all groups received single-session preventive counseling with focus on their individual cardiovascular risk factors profile. After discharge pts from Group 1 received remote preventive counseling by phone and pts from Group 2 by email every two weeks for the first 3 months after enrollment (a total of 6 sessions). Group 3 received usual care. All pts underwent stress assessment using a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) at baseline and at 12 months after CA. Results A total of 135 pts aged 35 to 80 years were enrolled (mean age 57.3±9.1 years, 51.8% men). The groups were well balanced according to demographic and clinical features. At 1 year of follow-up there was a significant reduction of average stress level in both intervention groups vs. control (Table). Conclusions Preventive counseling followed by 3 months of remote support via phone and email reduced the stress level in AF pts after CA. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None