Radiofrequency ablation of frequent premature ventricular complexes improves the quality of life according to the results of the SF-36 questionnaire, even in asymptomatic patients

The aim of this work was to study the changes in the quality of life (QoL) of patients with frequent premature ventricular complexes without structural heart disease before and after effective radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using the SF-36 questionnaire.

Methods. In total, 91 patients were included in the study after performing effective RFA of frequent premature ventricular complexes. The study included adult patients under the age of 70 years, without structural heart disease, without severe comorbidities. According to the Holter monitor, the median number of premature ventricular complexes before RFA was 21,000 per day [IQR 18000; 33000]. Six months after RFA, they performed repeated the Holter monitor and a questionnaire on the SF-36 form. The median number of premature ventricular complexes at the 6 months after surgery was 12 per day [IQR 0; 204].

Results. Elimination of premature ventricular complexes after RFA was accompanied by a significant improvement in the QoL on the scales of physical functioning (p=0,000), role functioning (p=0,000), pain intensity (p=0,000), general health (p=0,000), life activity (p=0,000), role functioning due to emotional state (p=0,000) and mental health (p=0,000). On the social functioning scale, the differences were unreliable (p=0,100). Statistically significant improvement of QoL of patients who do not have clinical manifestations initially premature ventricular complexes, observed at several scales describing physical health component: physical functioning (p=0,000), role functioning, due to physical condition (p=0,038) and pain intensity (p=0,008).

Conclusions. Patients demonstrate improved quality of life 6 months after surgery with frequent premature ventricular complexes on almost all quality of life scales. According to several scales that characterize the physical component of health, improvement is also demonstrated by patients who do not have clinical manifestations of premature ventricular complexes before surgery.

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