154The effects of preventive counseling on psychological status of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation

Abstract

Background: At present there are limited data about psychological status of patients (pts) with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation (CA). Purpose: To assess the impact of preventive counseling on psychological status of pts after CA performed for paroxysmal AF. Methods: This is a prospective randomized controlled study with 2 parallel groups of pts with paroxysmal AF after CA (radiofrequency or cryoablation). Pts were randomized into 2 groups in 1:1 ratio. During hospitalization for CA pts from both groups received single-session preventive counseling with focus on their individual cardiovascular risk factors profile. After discharge pts from Intervention group received remote preventive counseling via text messaging (e-mail or sms) every two weeks for the first 3 months after enrollment (a total of 6 sessions). Control group received usual care. All pts underwent stress, anxiety and depression assessment using Visual analog scale (VAS) for stress, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for anxiety and depression and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for anxiety at baseline and 12 months after CA. Results: A total of 62 pts aged 37 to 72 years were enrolled (mean age 57.8±9.65 years, 55% men). The groups were well balanced according to demographic and clinical features. At 1 year of follow-up there was a significant reduction of both average stress level and the proportion of pts with high level of stress (≥5 VAS points) in the intervention group vs. control (p<0.05). Pts from the intervention group displayed a significant decrease in anxiety as measured by both questionnaires vs. control (all p<0.05) but the depression scores remained unchanged. Conclusions: Preventive counseling followed by remote 3 months support via text messaging reduced the level of stress as measured by VAS and anxiety as measured by HADS and STAI questionnaires. (Table Presented) .