Pius, Charlene, Ahmad, Hasan, Snowdon, Richard, Ashrafi, Reza, Waktare, Johan EP, Borbas, Zoltan, Luther, Vishal, Mahida, Saagar, Modi, Simon, Hall, Mark et al (show 2 more authors)
(2022)
Impact of COVID-19 on patients awaiting ablation for atrial fibrillation.
OPEN HEART, 9 (1).
e001969-.
Abstract
<h4>Objective</h4>Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation services were significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to evaluate a symptom-based clinician prioritisation scheme for waiting list management compared with patient-completed quality of life (QoL) scores. We also sought to understand factors influencing QoL, particularly the impact of COVID-19, on patients awaiting AF ablation, via a bespoke questionnaire.<h4>Methods</h4>Patients awaiting AF ablation were sent two QoL questionnaires (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy of Life (AFEQT) and EuroQol 5D (EQ5D-5L)) and the bespoke questionnaire. At a separate time point, patients were categorised as C1-urgent, C2-priority or C3-routine by their cardiologist based on review of clinic letters.<h4>Results</h4>There were 118 patients included with priority categorisation available for 86 patients. Median AFEQT scores were lower in C2 (30.4; 17.2-51.9) vs C3 patients (56.5; 32.1-74.1; p<0.01). Unplanned admission occurred in 3 patients in C3 with AFEQT scores of <40. Although 65 patients had AF symptoms during the pandemic, 43.1% did not seek help where they ordinarily would have. An exercise frequency of ≥3-4 times a week was associated with higher AFEQT (56.5; 41.2-74.1; p<0.001) and EQ5D (0.84; 0.74-0.88; p<0.0001) scores.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The QoL of patients awaiting AF ablation is impaired and AFEQT helps to identify patients at risk of admission, over and above physician assessment. COVID-19 influenced patients seeking medical attention with symptomatic AF when they normally would. Regular exercise is associated with better QoL in patients awaiting AF ablation.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation, COVID-19, delivery of health care |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Feb 2024 09:40 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Feb 2024 09:40 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/openhrt-2022-001969 |
| Open Access URL: | https://openheart.bmj.com/content/9/1/e001969 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3178416 |
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