Catheter ablation shows promise in improving mental health in atrial fibrillation patients

A recent study published in JAMA has revealed that catheter ablation significantly improves the psychological distress of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) when compared to medical therapy alone.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm disorder that not only affects physical health but can also take a toll on mental well-being. A new study, the Randomized Evaluation of the Impact of Catheter Ablation on Psychological Distress in Atrial Fibrillation (REMEDIAL), sheds light on a potential breakthrough in addressing this issue.

The REMEDIAL study, conducted in two AF centers in Australia between June 2018 and March 2021, explored the impact of AF catheter ablation on psychological distress in AF patients. Participants were randomly assigned to receive AF catheter ablation or medical therapy.

The results were promising. Participants who underwent catheter ablation showed significant improvements in psychological distress markers, including anxiety and depression, compared to those on medical therapy alone. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores were notably lower in the ablation group at 6 and 12 months. Additionally, the prevalence of severe psychological distress and anxiety scores were reduced in the ablation group.

These findings suggest that catheter ablation not only benefits AF patients in terms of their heart condition but also has a positive impact on their mental health.

Reference: Al-Kaisey AM, Parameswaran R, Bryant C, et al. Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation vs Medical Therapy and Psychological Distress: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2023;330(10):925–933. DOI:10.1001/jama.2023.14685