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June 27, 2026EP EuropaceOpen Access

AF catheter ablation is linked to an ~18-point improvement in AFEQT quality of life scores.

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Why the study?

Does catheter ablation improve patient-reported quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation?

Population

153 analyzed patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, mean age 62 ± 11 years, 95 men…

Design

Cohort

Follow-up

mean 14±4 months

Key result

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation significantly improved overall AFEQT quality of life scores from 53 to 71 (95% CI 14.654-21.632; P<0.001) at a mean follow-up of 14 months.

Authors

JPJ Certo PereiraRSR Barbosa SousaFCF Moscoso Costa

Discussion

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Overview

Post-ablation AFEQT gains were associated with meaningful QoL improvement in most patients; leaves open need for randomized confirmation versus medical therapy.

Key Points

  • This study aimed to assess changes in quality of life for patients after atrial fibrillation ablation using patient-reported outcome measures.
  • Prospectively enrolled 204 consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF between 2023 and 2025.
  • Quality of life assessed using the AFEQT questionnaire at baseline and multiple follow-up points over two years.
  • Holter monitors used for early detection of AF recurrence and procedural/safety outcomes recorded.
  • AFEQT scores improved significantly from 53±23 to 71±22 at 14 months post-ablation (p<0.001).
  • 71% of patients achieved a clinically meaningful improvement (>5-point increase on AFEQT).
  • AF recurrence occurred in 28% of patients but QoL still improved significantly in this subgroup.

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=153)

Structured PICO

Does catheter ablation improve patient-reported quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation?

P
Population
153 patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation, followed for a mean of 14 months.
E
Exposure
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (pulsed-field ablation in 43%, pulmonary vein isolation only in 54%)
O
Outcome
Change in AF Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) overall score from baseline to follow-uppatient reported

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 71% vs 53%

p-value: p=<0.001

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation significantly improves patient-reported quality of life, even in patients who experience intermittent arrhythmia recurrence during follow-up.

Cite This Study

Pereira et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Atrial fibrillation (n=153). Catheter ablation vs. Baseline was evaluated on Change in AFEQT overall score from baseline to follow-up (95% CI 14.654-21.632, p=<0.001). Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation significantly improved overall AFEQT quality of life scores from 53 to 71 (95% CI 14.654-21.632; P<0.001) at a mean follow-up of 14 months.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a3f97a5125782b61d86580ahttps://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euag105.1252
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Clinical characteristics and quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation before and after radiofrequency catheter ablation at the Department of Cardiology, Military Hospital 1032025
  2. 2Quality of life after atrial fibrillation ablation: a comparison of pulsed-field versus radiofrequency energy2026
  3. 3Predicting patient-related outcomes after atrial fibrillation ablation: insights from explainable artificial intelligence and digital health2025
  4. 4Health-promoting lifestyle profile after atrial fibrillation ablation2026
  5. 5Serial Assessment of Patient-Reported Health Status and Subsequent Clinical Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation2026