Improving quality of life after atrial fibrillation catheter ablation by optimizing patient expectations
Optimizing Quality of Life by Improved Patient Expectation Following Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation
This trial will see if giving people with symptomatic atrial fibrillation guidance to set realistic expectations before catheter ablation reduces how much the condition affects their daily life during the first three months after the procedure.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Evangelical Hospital Düsseldorf Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westfalia and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05557526 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with symptomatic atrial fibrillation who are scheduled for pulmonary vein isolation (catheter ablation) will be enrolled and assigned to an expectation-optimization intervention or to a control group. The intervention provides structured information and counseling designed to set realistic expectations about recovery and symptoms during the first three months after ablation (the blanking period). Participants will be followed for three months after the procedure to measure disease-related impairment and quality of life. Key eligibility includes German language fluency, non-permanent AF, and absence of psychiatric or other medical conditions that would overshadow cardiac quality-of-life measures; recruitment occurs at centers in Düsseldorf and Essen.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with symptomatic, non-permanent atrial fibrillation who are scheduled for pulmonary vein isolation, can participate in German-language counseling, and do not have major psychiatric or non-cardiac conditions that dominate quality of life.
Not a fit: Patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, AF caused by intoxication/medication/infection, significant psychiatric illness, or other medical conditions that more strongly impact quality of life may not receive benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce disease-related impairment and improve early post-ablation quality of life without altering the ablation itself.
How similar studies have performed: Expectation-optimization interventions have improved recovery and patient-reported outcomes in other surgical and medical settings, but targeted testing for atrial fibrillation ablation is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * symptomatic atrial fibrillation * indication for pulmonary vein isolation * sufficient command of the German language Exclusion Criteria: * age \<18 years * permanent atrial fibrillation * presence of psychiatric disorders which impair the study participitatin * presence of another medical condiction which influences quality of life stronger than the cardiac condition * atrial fibrillation induced by intoxication, medicamentation or infection * inability to grap the course of the study
Where this trial is running
Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westfalia and 1 other locations
- Evangelic Hospital Düsseldorf — Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westfalia, Germany (Recruiting)
- Westdeutsches Herz- und Gefäßzentrum — Essen, Germany (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.