Quality of life after atrial fibrillation following heart surgery
Prospective Observational Study on Quality of Life With Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation
This project will see how atrial fibrillation that starts after heart surgery affects quality of life in adults having cardiac operations.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 260 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Brigham and Women's Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT07173998 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective observational project that follows adults scheduled for cardiac surgery who develop postoperative atrial fibrillation. Participants complete baseline surveys before surgery and follow-up surveys at one month and three months after the operation using the SF-36, TSQM-9, and open-ended questions. The design captures short-term changes in health-related quality of life and treatment satisfaction without introducing new treatments. Patients with persistent or preoperative atrial fibrillation and those undergoing emergent operations are excluded.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–99 scheduled for non-emergent cardiac surgery who can complete surveys and do not have persistent or preoperative atrial fibrillation are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with persistent or preexisting atrial fibrillation, those presenting in atrial fibrillation before surgery, patients having emergent operations, or those unable to complete questionnaires are unlikely to benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians better understand recovery after postoperative atrial fibrillation and tailor follow-up care to improve patients' quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Prior observational work links postoperative atrial fibrillation to worse short-term outcomes and reduced quality of life, but prospective surveys at 1 and 3 months are relatively limited, so this approach builds on but also fills gaps in existing evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * All genders * Ages 18-99 years old * Scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery * Able to answer survey questions Exclusion Criteria: * Persistent / permanent atrial fibrillation * Atrial fibrillation at presentation for surgery * Emergent operations
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Mass General Brigham — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jakob Wollborn, MD, MPH — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Leonard Simeth, cand.med.
- Email: lsimeth@bwh.harvard.edu
- Phone: +1 6173 529209
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.