Dataset Information

Decreased anxiety after catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is associated with augmented parasympathetic reactivity to stress.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Psychological improvement after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has been reported, but its mechanism is unclear.

Objective

This study aimed to clarify the relationship between cardiac autonomic modification and psychological changes after catheter ablation for paroxysmal AF (PAF).

Methods

Thirty-five consecutive patients (60.5 ± 11.9 years; male, n = 24) with PAF treated by catheter ablation were enrolled. Autonomic activity and reactivity to stress and psychological status were measured before (baseline) and at 1 and 3 months after ablation. We assessed autonomic activity and reactivity to stress by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) at rest (Rest), and during (Task) and after (After) the execution of a task and assessed relationships between HRV parameters and psychological changes using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS).

Results

The STAI state and trait scores significantly decreased at 3 months compared with baseline, whereas SDS scores essentially remained unchanged. The high-frequency (HF) response index (Task/Rest) and HF recovery index (After/Rest) were significantly higher than baseline at 3 months (0.40 [0.29-0.90] vs 1.30 [0.64-2.18], P = .007 for HF response index; 1.13 [0.92-2.19] vs 1.87 [1.19-2.97], P = .049 for HF recovery index). Reductions in STAI scores positively correlated with increments in the HF recovery index in the entire cohort as well as in 5 patients with recurrent AF.

Conclusions

Some augmentation of parasympathetic reactivity to stress correlated with reduced anxiety, implying that cardiac autonomic modification plays roles in psychological improvement after catheter ablation for AF.

SUBMITTER: Hasebe H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8183861 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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