Is Catheter Ablation Better Than Antiarrhythmic Drugs for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation?

Sacubitril-Valsartan Lowers Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence and Left Atrial Volume Post-catheter Ablation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who have undergone catheter ablation, the comparative effectiveness of sacubitril-valsartan (SV) versus ACE inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB) in preventing AF recurrence remains unclear. The purpose of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine whether SV offers superior outcomes in this clinical setting.

METHODS

This study systematically reviewed PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity-matched cohorts (PMC), evaluating SV's efficacy in preventing AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Outcomes included AF recurrence and structural remodeling assessed via left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left atrial volume index (LAVi), with statistical analyses performed using Review Manager 5.1.7 and heterogeneity assessed via I2 statistics.

RESULTS

The analysis comprised 642 patients from three RCTs and one PMC (319 SV-treated). SV significantly reduced AF recurrence [risk ratios (RR) 0.54; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.41-0.70; p < 0.00001; I2 = 0%), a trend also observed when considering RCTs exclusively (RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.41-0.84; p = 0.004; I2 = 0%). Moreover, SV demonstrated a notable reduction in LAVi [mean deviation (MD) -5.34 mL/m2; 95% CI -8.77 to -1.91; p = 0.002; I2 = 57%] compared with ARB, alongside a significant improvement in LVEF (MD 1.83%; 95% CI 1.35-2.32; p < 0.00001; I2 = 0%). Subgroup analyses among patients with hypertension and LVEF < 50% also indicated lower AF recurrence with SV.

CONCLUSION

SV therapy exhibited superior efficacy in reducing AF recurrence compared with ACEi or ARB and demonstrated superior outcomes in attenuating atrial structural remodeling after catheter ablation. These findings underscore the potential of SV as a therapeutic option for patients with AF undergoing catheter ablation, highlighting its efficacy in mitigating AF recurrence and structural remodeling.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO identifier number CRD42024497958.

Personal mastery and quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation: The mediating role of health promoting behavior

BACKGROUND

Improving quality of life is vital for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency ablation. Quality of life can be affected not only by personal mastery but also by health promoting behavior as previously studied. However, it remains unclear whether health promoting behavior mediates the relationship between personal mastery and quality of life.

OBJECTIVES

To explore whether health promoting behavior mediates the relationship between personal mastery and quality of life in patients with AF after radiofrequency ablation.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design and convenience sampling were conducted at a tertiary hospital in China. Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess personal mastery, health promoting behavior and quality of life. SPSS and AMOS software were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 202 patients with AF after radiofrequency ablation were enrolled (mean age 58.28 ± 12.70 years). The scores for personal mastery and quality of life were 22.52 ± 2.53 points and 62.58 ± 8.59 points, respectively, indicating a limited level. The health promoting behavior exhibited a moderate level, with scores averaging 103.82 ± 8.47 points. There was a positive correlation between the three variables (all P < 0.05). Health promoting behavior played a partial mediating role in the relationship between personal mastery and quality of life in patients with AF after radiofrequency ablation, accounting for 44.79 % of the total effect.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to improve quality of life and prognosis, it is necessary to consider enhancing personal mastery and increasing patient compliance with health promoting behavior, which are important ways to improve their quality of life.