Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for adults with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, disrupts the heart's rhythm through numerous small re-entry circuits in the atrial tissue, leading to irregular atrial contractions. The condition poses significant health risks, including increased stroke risk, heart failure, and reduced quality of life. Given the complexity of AF and its growing incidence globally, exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (ExCR) may provide additional benefits for people with AF or those undergoing routine treatment for the condition. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of ExCR compared with non-exercise controls for people who currently have AF or who have been treated for AF. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the following electronic databases: CENTRAL in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE Ovid, Embase Ovid, PsycINFO Ovid, Web of Science Core Collection Thomson Reuters, CINAHL EBSCO, LILACS BIREME, and two clinical trial registers on 24 March 2024. We imposed no language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised clinical trials (RCTs) that investigated ExCR interventions compared with any type of non-exercise control. We included adults 18 years of age or older with any subtype of AF or those who had received treatment for AF. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Five review authors independently screened and extracted data in duplicate. We assessed risk of bias using Cochrane's RoB 1 tool as outlined in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We assessed clinical and statistical heterogeneity by visual inspection of the forest plots and by using standard Chi² and I² statistics. We performed meta-analyses using random-effects models for continuous and dichotomised outcomes. We calculated standardised mean differences where different scales were used for the same outcome. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS: We included 20 RCTs involving a total of 2039 participants with AF. All trials were conducted between 2006 and 2024, with a follow-up period ranging from eight weeks to five years. We assessed the certainty of evidence as moderate to very low. Five trials assessed comprehensive ExCR programmes, which included educational or psychological interventions, or both; the remaining 15 trials compared exercise-only cardiac rehabilitation with controls. The overall risk of bias in the included studies was mixed. Details on random sequence generation, allocation concealment, and use of intention-to-treat analysis were typically poorly reported. Evidence from nine trials (n = 1173) suggested little to no difference in mortality between ExCR and non-exercise controls (risk ratio (RR) 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76 to 1.49; I² = 0%; 101 deaths; low-certainty evidence). Based on evidence from 10 trials (n = 825), ExCR may have little to no effect on SAEs (RR 1.30, 95% CI 0.63 to 2.67; I² = 0%; 28 events; low-certainty evidence). Evidence from four trials (n = 378) showed that ExCR likely reduced AF recurrence (measured via Holter monitoring) compared to controls (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.88; I² = 2%; moderate-certainty evidence). ExCR may reduce AF symptom severity (mean difference (MD) -1.59, 95% CI -2.98 to -0.20; I² = 61%; n = 600; low-certainty evidence); likely reduces AF symptom burden (MD -1.61, 95% CI -2.76 to -0.45; I² = 0%; n = 317; moderate-certainty evidence); may reduce AF episode frequency (MD -1.29, 95% CI -2.50 to -0.07; I² = 75%; n = 368; low-certainty evidence); and likely reduces AF episode duration (MD -0.58, 95% CI -1.14 to -0.03; I² = 0%; n = 317; moderate-certainty evidence), measured via the AF Severity Scale (AFSS) questionnaire. Moderate-certainty evidence from six trials (n = 504) showed that ExCR likely improved the mental component summary measure in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) (MD 2.66, 95% CI 1.22 to 4.11; I² = 2%), but the effect of ExCR on the physical component summary measure was very uncertain (MD 1.75, 95% CI -0.31 to 3.81; I² = 52%; very low-certainty evidence). ExCR also may improve individual components of HRQoL (general health, vitality, emotional role functioning, and mental health) and exercise capacity (peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and 6-minute walk test) following ExCR. The effects of ExCR on serious adverse events and exercise capacity were consistent across different models of ExCR delivery: centre compared to home-based, exercise dose, exercise only compared to comprehensive programmes, and aerobic training alone compared to aerobic plus resistance programmes. Using univariate meta-regression, there was evidence of significant association between location of trial and length of longest follow-up on exercise capacity. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Due to few randomised participants and typically short-term follow-up, the impact of ExCR on all-cause mortality or serious adverse events for people with AF is uncertain. ExCR likely improves AF-specific measures including reduced AF recurrence, symptom burden, and episode duration, as well as the mental components of HRQoL. ExCR may improve AF symptom severity, episode frequency, and VO2peak. Future high-quality RCTs are needed to assess the benefits of ExCR for people with AF on patient-relevant outcomes including AF symptom severity and burden, AF recurrence, AF-specific quality of life, and clinical events such as mortality, readmissions, and serious adverse events. High-quality trials are needed to investigate how AF subtype and clinical setting (i.e. primary and secondary care) may influence ExCR effectiveness.

Sex Differences in Changes in Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Additional Health Outcomes Following Exercise Training in Adults With Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Improving cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) through exercise training is associated with lower morbidity and mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Smaller CRF improvements have been suggested in females than males with cardiovascular disease following exercise training. This systematic review compared changes in CRF (primary) and additional physical and mental health outcomes following exercise training between females and males with AF. REVIEW METHODS: Five bibliographic databases were searched to identify prospective studies implementing exercise training in patients with AF. The mean difference (MD) in the change following exercise training was compared between sexes using random-effects meta-analyses. SUMMARY: Sex-specific data were obtained from 19 of 63 eligible studies, with 886 participants enrolled in exercise training (n = 259 [29%] females; female: 68 ± 7 years, male: 66 ± 8 years). Exercise training was 6 weeks to 1 year in duration and mostly combined moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic and resistance training, 2 to 6 d/wk. Changes in CRF did not differ between sexes (MD = 0.15: 95% CI, -1.08 to 1.38 mL O2/kg/min; P = .81; I2 = 27%). Severity of AF (MD = 1.00: 95% CI, 0.13-1.87 points; I2 = 0%), general health perceptions (MD = -3.71: 95% CI, -6.88 to -0.55 points; I2 = 22%), and systolic blood pressure (MD = 3.11: 95% CI, 0.14-6.09 mmHg; I2 = 42%) improved less in females than in males. Females may benefit from more targeted exercise training programs given their smaller improvement in several health outcomes than males. However, our findings are largely hypothesis-generating, considering the limited sample size and underrepresentation of females (29% females in our review vs 47% females with AF globally).

Effects of Supervised Exercise Training on Atrial Fibrillation: A META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS.

PURPOSE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with the comorbidities of a sedentary lifestyle. Endurance athletes also show an increased incidence of AF. The role of exercise in the treatment of AF is unknown so this study aimed to examine the effects of supervised exercise on AF. METHODS: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining supervised exercise training in participants with AF was performed. The primary outcome was AF recurrence and burden. Secondary outcomes included AF symptoms, quality of life, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). RESULTS: Thirteen RCTs, involving 1155 participants, were included. Paroxysmal AF was present in 34% and persistent AF in 64%. The types of exercise were diverse and included cardiac rehabilitation (64%), aerobic training (7%), Qi Gong (4%), interval training (11%), and yoga (15%). Exercise training reduced AF recurrence (relative risk = 0.77: 95% CI, 0.60-0.99), improved quality of life in 5 of the 10 components of the Short Form 36 survey, and improved CRF (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.56: 95% CI, 0.27-0.85). The AF burden was reduced only in studies that included continuous ambulatory monitoring (SMD =-0.49: 95% CI, -0.96 to -0.01) but not when all studies were included (SMD =-0.12: 95% CI, -0.61 to 0.38). There was no difference in adverse events between exercise and control. CONCLUSIONS: Supervised exercise training is safe, reduces AF recurrence, and improves quality of life and CRF in participants with AF. Further large RCTs with ambulatory monitoring and robust exercise regimens are needed to assess the effects of exercise training on AF burden and AF symptoms.

Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation and All-Cause Mortality Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background There is limited evidence of long-term impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on clinical end points for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We therefore compared 18-month all-cause mortality, hospitalization, stroke, and heart failure in patients with AF and an electronic medical record of exercise-based CR to matched controls. Methods and Results This retrospective cohort study included patient data obtained on February 3, 2021 from a global federated health research network. Patients with AF undergoing exercise-based CR were propensity-score matched to patients with AF without exercise-based CR by age, sex, race, comorbidities, cardiovascular procedures, and cardiovascular medication. We ascertained 18-month incidence of all-cause mortality, hospitalization, stroke, and heart failure. Of 1 366 422 patients with AF, 11 947 patients had an electronic medical record of exercise-based CR within 6-months of incident AF who were propensity-score matched with 11 947 patients with AF without CR. Exercise-based CR was associated with 68% lower odds of all-cause mortality (odds ratio, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.29-0.35), 44% lower odds of rehospitalization (0.56; 95% CI, 0.53-0.59), and 16% lower odds of incident stroke (0.84; 95% CI, 0.72-0.99) compared with propensity-score matched controls. No significant associations were shown for incident heart failure (0.93; 95% CI, 0.84-1.04). The beneficial association of exercise-based CR on all-cause mortality was independent of sex, older age, comorbidities, and AF subtype. Conclusions Exercise-based CR among patients with incident AF was associated with lower odds of all-cause mortality, rehospitalization, and incident stroke at 18-month follow-up, supporting the provision of exercise-based CR for patients with AF.

Cardiac Rehabilitation for Patients Treated for Atrial Fibrillation With Ablation Has Long-Term Effects: 12-and 24-Month Follow-up Results From the Randomized CopenHeartRFA Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess outcomes at 12 and 24 months after participation in a multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation program plus usual care compared with usual care alone for patients treated for atrial fibrillation with catheter ablation. DESIGN: Long-term follow-up on the randomized CopenHeartRFA trial. SETTING: Patients were enrolled and outcome assessed at the hospital and the intervention were carried out at the hospital or at local rehabilitation centers. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=210) treated for atrial fibrillation with catheter ablation included in the CopenHeartRFA trial. INTERVENTIONS: A 6-month cardiac rehabilitation program consisting of physical exercise and psychoeducational consultations plus usual care or usual care alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical capacity was measured by peak oxygen uptake (Vo2peak) at 12 months, and patient-reported outcomes on perceived health, anxiety, and depression were collected by validated questionnaires at 12 and 24 months. Information on hospital admissions and mortality was collected through national registers up to 24 months. RESULTS: Mean Vo2peak was higher at 12 months in the cardiac rehabilitation group (cardiac rehabilitation group: 25.82 mL/kg/min vs usual care group, 22.43 mL/kg/min, P=.003). A lower proportion of patients had high levels of anxiety at 24 months in the cardiac rehabilitation group compared to usual care (12% vs 24%, P=.004). There was no difference in mortality or hospital admissions at 24 months between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This long-term follow-up of a comprehensive multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation program for patients treated for atrial fibrillation with catheter ablation found sustained improvements with respect to physical capacity and anxiety compared to usual care but no difference on mortality or hospital admission.

Higher baseline cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with lower arrhythmia recurrence and death after atrial fibrillation ablation.

BACKGROUND: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been shown to correlate with incident atrial fibrillation (AF) and AF burden. In recent years there has been increasing recognition of the pivotal role of modifying risk factors before AF ablation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether higher baseline CRF measured using exercise stress testing (EST) was associated with improved outcomes after AF ablation. METHODS: We studied 591 patients who underwent EST within 12 months before AF ablation. Patients were categorized into low (<85% predicted), adequate (85%-100% predicted), and high (>100% predicted) CRF groups. Outcomes of interest included arrhythmia recurrence, cessation of antiarrhythmic therapy, repeat hospitalization for arrhythmia, repeat rhythm control procedures, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: During mean follow-up of 32 months after ablation, arrhythmia recurrence was observed in 79% of patients in the low CRF group compared to 54% in the adequate CRF group and 27.5% in the high CRF group (P <.0001). Similarly, rates of repeat arrhythmia-related hospitalization, repeat rhythm control procedures, and need for ongoing antiarrhythmic therapy were significantly lower in the high CRF group (P <.0001). Death occurred in 2.5% of patients in the high CRF group compared to 4% in the adequate CRF group and 11% in the low CRF group (P <.0001). In Cox proportional hazards analyses, high CRF was significantly associated with lower arrhythmia recurrence. CONCLUSION: Higher CRF is associated with reduced arrhythmia recurrence rates and death among patients undergoing AF ablation. Efforts should be made to enhance CRF before AF ablation.

Dose-response relationship of cardiorespiratory fitness with incident atrial fibrillation.

The dose-response association between cardiorespiratory fitness and risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) is still not well known. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to investigate the dose-response association between cardiorespiratory fitness and incident AF. We performed a comprehensive search in the databases of PubMed, Cochrane library, and Ovid from inception through August 2019. A one-stage robust error meta-regression method was used to summarize the dose-response association between cardiorespiratory fitness and AF. A total of 9 studies were included in this meta-analysis. In the categorical analysis, compared with the lowest level of cardiorespiratory fitness, both the intermediate (RR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.57-0.82) and highest (RR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.51-0.72) levels of cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with a decreased risk of AF. In the dose-response analysis, per 1 metabolic equivalent increase in cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with a decreased risk of AF (RR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.86-0.95). There was an inverse relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and risk of AF with evidence of linearity (Pnon-linearity = 0.43). Current evidence suggests that there is an inverse relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and risk of AF, manifesting as a higher level of cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with a decreased risk of AF.

Impact of Lifestyle Modification on Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in adults, and the rapid increase in AF prevalence has been classified by experts as an epidemic. The mechanisms of AF are complex and incompletely understood. While many aspects of management are now based on high quality evidence, other clinical decisions are based on experience and judgment. This article provides an up to date review relating to lifestyle modification and its effect on AF to inform clinical treatment. This comprehensive review used PubMed and Google Scholar to perform keyword searches of articles published between 1998 and the present, with the exception of the 1978 "Holiday Heart" article. Robust data has emerged identifying multiple risk factors for development of AF, including age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, alcohol consumption, exercise, and obstructive sleep apnea. Recent evidence indicates that lifestyle modification has a significant role in mitigating the risk and burden of AF. In conclusion, based on the available evidence, an interdisciplinary approach to lifestyle modification will likely reduce risk and/or symptom burden of AF.

Atrial fibrillation and cardiac rehabilitation: an overview.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, and its frequency will only continue to increase in the future. Despite available drug and electrophysical treatments, death and functional restrictions due to AF are still common. More comprehensive standards of care are therefore needed.Purpose: After a foreword regarding the link between physical activity and AF, this article aims to give to the clinician an overview of the benefits he may expect or not when including patients suffering from AF in a cardiac rehabilitation programme.Method: We selected prospective, randomised controlled trials published during the past 10 years and referenced in the PubMed Database evaluating the safety of rehabilitation and/or its impact on AF incidence or tolerance, and tried to summarise them to propose a narrative review.Conclusion: Cardiac rehabilitation, along with moderate and regular physical activity, has been proven to reduce the time in arrhythmia of patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF. In chronic AF, cardiac rehabilitation may decrease the resting ventricular response rate in patients and therefore improve symptoms linked to arrhythmia. These studies have managed to demonstrate cardiac rehabilitation as a safe and manageable option for AF patients, without serious risk of additional side effects. Its efficiency to limit the occurrence of serious undesirable outcomes, such as mortality and hospitalisation, has not been adequately demonstrated, likely due to the small scale of most studies and lack of long-term follow-up. Large-scale and long-term studies are thus desirable.

Exploring the Mechanism of Effectiveness of a Psychoeducational Intervention in a Rehabilitation Program (CopenHeartRFA) for Patients Treated With Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients treated for atrial fibrillation with an ablation can experience decreased mental health. Little is known about the effect of a psychoeducation intervention on this patient group. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of a psychoeducation intervention on patients' mental health after participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program, with a focus on elaborating on the lack of mental health improvements. METHOD: Sequential explanatory mixed methods including secondary analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected in a randomized rehabilitation trial was performed. Perceived health was measured by a questionnaire (n = 95), and qualitative interviews were performed (n = 10). RESULTS: Patients scoring high on perceived health experienced positive effects of the intervention. Patients scoring low appear to have either low physical capacity and severe atrial fibrillation symptoms, bigger life issues, or lack of social support. CONCLUSION: A more in-depth understanding of the effect of a psychoeducational intervention included in a cardiac rehabilitation program has been achieved.

Exercise Testing and Exercise Rehabilitation for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia associated with an increasing prevalence with advancing age. It is associated with dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and increased risk for clinical events, especially stroke and heart failure. This article provides a concise review of exercise testing and rehabilitation in patients with persistent or permanent AF. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The first goal in the treatment of AF is to reduce symptoms (eg, palpitations) and a fast ventricular rate. The second goal is to reduce the risk of a stroke. Exercise testing and rehabilitation may be useful once these goals are achieved. However, there are no large, randomized exercise training trials involving patients with AF, and what data are available comes from single-site trials, secondary analyses, and observational studies. EXERCISE TESTING AND TRAINING: There are no specific indications for performing a graded exercise test in patients with AF; however, such testing may be used to screen for myocardial ischemia or evaluate chronotropic response during exertion. Among patients with AF, exercise capacity is 15% to 20% lower and peak heart rate is higher than in patients in sinus rhythm. Exercise rehabilitation improves exercise capacity, likely improves quality of life, and may improve symptoms associated with AF. Whole-body aerobic exercise is recommended. SUMMARY: Atrial fibrillation is a common cardiac condition and in these patients, exercise rehabilitation favorably improves exercise capacity. However, prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to better define the effects of exercise training on safety; quality of life; clinical outcomes; and central, autonomic, and peripheral adaptations.

Exercise in individuals with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), there is a lack of recommendations for physical activity and exercise in individuals with AF, including athletes with AF. METHODS: With the aim to review studies that have investigated effects and safety of exercise in individuals with AF, we conducted a literature search in Pubmed using the key words atrial fibrillation AND exercise OR physical activity OR exercise/adverse effects OR adverse outcome. RESULTS: Observational data from one registry suggest that regular exercise is associated with reduced mortality in AF patients. Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that 12-week exercise interventions might reduce the burden of AF and improve exercise capacity by 10-16% in patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF. Three small RCTs suggest that exercise might improve exercise capacity with 15-41% in patients with permanent AF. Exercise might improve quality of life in patients with AF. Data on safety of exercise are sparse. No studies have evaluated the effect of exercise in athletes with AF. CONCLUSIONS: Despite weak evidence, we suggest that individuals with AF should exercise regularly after evaluation of underlying conditions. Recommendations should be individualized. There is a lack of data to support exercise recommendations in athletes with AF.

The Impact of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Mental and Physical Health in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Matched Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) experience symptom burden, exercise intolerance, weight gain, poor mental health, and diminished quality of life (QoL). Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended for patients with heart disease, and its benefits are well established, yet clinical guidelines for patients with AF do not include the referral to CR. METHODS: In this matched retrospective, case-control study, we examined the impact of CR on changes in QoL, mental health, and cardiometabolic health indicators in patients with or without persistent or permanent AF. Patients attended CR that addressed risk factor management and provided support services and exercise training twice weekly for 3 months. Height, body mass, waist circumference, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured, and the Short Form-36 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were administered at baseline and 3 months follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients (AF, n = 47; no AF, n = 47) (aged 70 ± 8 years) participated. Significant improvements in 2 of the 8 subscales and the Physical Component Summary of the Short Form-36 were observed across groups after CR (P < 0.05). Significant interactions revealed that the effect of CR was greater for energy, emotional well-being, social functioning, pain, and the Physical Component Summary in patients without AF (P < 0.05 for each). No significant improvements in anxiety (AF: -1.3 ± 3.4; no AF: -1.3 ± 4.3), depression (AF: -1.1 ± 2.9; no AF: -0.4 ± 2.7), body mass index (AF: -0.5 ± 1.2; no AF: -0.8 ± 1.5, kg/m2), waist circumference (AF: -1.7 ± 4.6; no AF: 0.4 ± 8.1, cm), or blood pressure (AF: -2.3 ± 17.1/-3.9 ± /9.3; no AF: 1.8 ± 16.4/-0.8 ± /9.3 mm Hg) were observed across groups after CR. CONCLUSIONS: CR improved QoL to a greater extent in patients with heart disease without than with persistent or permanent AF.

The Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Clinical guidelines for managing patients with AF do not include a referral to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) at present, although it is routine for most other cardiovascular conditions. The number of studies evaluating the impact of CR on the health of patients with AF is growing, but there has been no consolidation of the findings. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of CR programs on physical and mental health outcomes in patients with all forms of AF. METHODS: Six electronic databases were searched to identify all studies that reported on the impact of CR in patients with AF. Searching identified 5771 potential articles, of which 12 were included. The physical health outcomes evaluated included cardiometabolic health indicators, aerobic and functional capacity, severity of symptoms, recurrence of AF, hospitalizations, and mortality. The mental health outcomes assessed included quality of life, anxiety, depression, and quality of sleep. RESULTS: The limited evidence supports the use of CR to improve cardiometabolic health indicators and aerobic and functional capacity in patients with AF. The current evidence suggests that prominent improvements in aerobic fitness are associated with lower risk of hospitalization and mortality. The conflicting mental health findings may be due to the varying severity of AF and or modes of exercise interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Gaps in the research identified the need for greater rigor in the reporting of intervention details, outcomes, and statistical methodology; sex- and gender-based analyses; and effectiveness trials. This review serves as a call to action for more work globally on this important area.

Relation of Atrial Premature Complexes During Exercise Stress Testing to the Risk for the Development of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We sought to determine whether atrial premature complexes (APCs) detected during a standard exercise stress test (EST) in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are associated with an increased risk of AF. The present study population comprised 6,523 consecutive patients without prior AF who participated in a CR program in a tertiary medical center in years 2009 to 2016. Multivariate analysis was used to identify the association between APCs during the baseline EST at CR and the risk for the development of AF over a mean follow-up period of 2.5 years. A total of 213 (3.7%) patients had APCs during their EST. Despite being older (mean age 63 ± 13 years old vs 58 ± 13; p <0.001, respectively), no other statistically significant differences were documented. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the rate of AF development during follow-up was significantly higher in patients with APCs at baseline EST (11%) as compared with those without APCs (5%; log-rank p <0.001 for the overall difference during follow-up). Consistently, multivariate analysis showed that patients with APCs showed >twofold increase risk for AF compared with those without APCs (hazard ratio 2.1; 95% confidence interval 1.36 to 3.25; p <0.001). In conclusion, our findings suggest that APCs detected during EST in patients participating in the CR program independently predict AF and can be used to improve risk stratification in this population.

The role and outcome of cardiac rehabilitation program in patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with diminished cardiac function, and exercise tolerance. HYPOTHESIS: We sought to investigate the role of cardiac rehabilitation program (CR) in patients with AF. METHODS: The study included 2165 consecutive patients that participated in our CR program between the years 2009 to 2015. All were evaluated by a standard exercise stress test (EST) at baseline, and upon completion of at least 3 months of training. Participants were dichotomized according to baseline fitness and the degree of functional improvement. The combined primary end point was cardiac related hospitalization or all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 292 patients had history of AF, with a mean age of 68 ± 9 years old, 76% of which were males. The median predicted baseline fitness of AF patients was significantly lower compared to non-AF patients (103% vs 122%, P < 0.001, respectively). Prominent improvement was achieved in the majority of the patients in both groups (64% among AF patients and 63% among those without AF). Median improvement in fitness between stress tests was significantly higher in patients with AF (124% vs 110%, P < 0.001, respectively). Among AF patients, high baseline fitness was associated with a lower event rates (HR 0.40; 95%CI 0.23-0.70; P = 0.001). Moreover, prominent improvement during CR showed a protective effect (HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.69-0.99; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: In patients with AF participating in CR program, low fitness levels at baseline EST are associated with increased risk of total mortality or cardiovascular hospitalization during long-term follow-up. Improvement on follow-up EST diminishes the risk.

Effects of brief mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy on health-related quality of life and sense of coherence in atrial fibrillation patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a brief dyadic cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), as well as the sense of coherence in atrial fibrillation patients, up to 12 months post atrial fibrillation. METHODS: A longitudinal randomised controlled trial with a pre and 12-month post-test recruitment of 163 persons and their spouses, at a county hospital in southern Sweden. In all, 111 persons were randomly assigned to either a CBT ( n=56) or a treatment as usual (TAU) group ( n=55). The primary outcome was changes in the HRQoL (Euroqol questionnaire; EQ-5D), and the secondary outcomes were changes in psychological distress (hospital anxiety and depression scale; HADS) and sense of coherence (sense of coherence scale; SOC-13). RESULTS: At the 12-month follow-up, the CBT group experienced a higher HRQoL than the TAU group (mean changes in the CBT group 0.062 vs. mean changes in the TAU group -0.015; P=0.02). The sense of coherence improved in the CBT group after the 12-month follow-up, compared to the TAU group (mean changes in the CBT group 0.062 vs. mean changes in the TAU group -0.16; P=0.04). The association between the intervention effect and the HRQoL was totally mediated by the sense of coherence ( z=2.07, P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: A dyadic mindfulness-based CBT programme improved HRQoL and reduced psychological distress up to 12 months post atrial fibrillation. The sense of coherence strongly mediated the HRQoL; consequently, the sense of coherence is an important determinant to consider when designing programmes for atrial fibrillation patients.

The ambiguity of physical activity, exercise and atrial fibrillation.

Although commonly associated with cardiovascular disease or other medical conditions, atrial fibrillation may also occur in individuals without any known underlying conditions. This manifestation of atrial fibrillation has been linked to extensive and long-term exercise, as prolonged endurance exercise has shown to increase prevalence and risk of atrial fibrillation. In contrast, more modest physical activity is associated with a decreased risk of atrial fibrillation, and current research indicates a J-shaped association between atrial fibrillation and the broad range of physical activity and exercise. This has led to the hypothesis that the mechanisms underlying an increased risk of atrial fibrillation with intensive exercise are different from those underlying a reduced risk with moderate physical activity, possibly linked to distinctive characteristics of the population under study. High volumes of exercise over many years performed by lean, healthy endurance trained athletes may lead to cardiac (patho)physiological alterations involving the autonomic nervous system and remodelling of the heart. The mechanisms underlying a reduced risk of atrial fibrillation with light and moderate physical activity may involve a distinctive pathway, as physical activity can potentially reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation through favourable effects on cardiovascular risk factors.

Sex differences in health status and rehabilitation outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with ablation: Results from the CopenHeartRFA trial.

BACKGROUND: Increased physical capacity after comprehensive rehabilitation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing ablation has been found in the CopenHeartRFA trial. The purpose of this study was to investigate: (a) sex differences in health status, psychological distress and quality of life, (b) sex differences in rehabilitation outcomes and (c) predictors of effect of rehabilitation. METHODS: We conducted an exploratory analysis of data from the randomized CopenHeartRFA trial, where patients treated with ablation were randomized with 1:1 to comprehensive rehabilitation consisting of a physical exercise program and psycho-educational consultations versus usual care. Sex disparities in health status were tested using Chi-square and t-tests. RESULTS: Included were: 151 men (median age 59.25 years) and 59 women (median age 62.5 years). At hospital discharge, women reported lower physical health status compared with men. Among women, significant differences were found in the 6-min walk test [rehabilitation: 496.8 meters (SD 98.5) versus 559.3meters (SD 55.5) and usual care: 521.9 meters (SD 97.8) versus 530.9 meters (SD 102.2), p = 0.01] and exercise time [rehabilitation: 387.6 s (SD 126.0) versus 463.2 s (SD 121.8) and usual care: 353.4 s (SD 145.2) versus 355.8 s (SD 154.8), p < 0.004] and among men in the sit-to-stand test. Significant differences were found in mental health outcomes among men and in quality of life scores among women. Patients with a European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) score I-II had a positive effect of rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that sex differences exist in self-reported health after rehabilitation in patients ablated for AF. Patients with an I-II EHRA score seem more likely to gain from the rehabilitation programme compared with those with a III-IV score.