Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
The Association Between Atrial Fibrillation Burden and Quality of Life: A Substudy of the SHAM-PVI Trial
Authors' conclusion
In this secondary analysis of the SHAM-PVI trial, there was a statistically significant relationship observed between AF burden reduction and QoL improvements.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF); AF burden measured continuously via implantable loop recorder
- Participants
- 126 patients
- Comparison
- Association between AF burden and quality of life (QoL) after cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) or sham procedure
- Primary endpoint
- Association between AF burden and patient-reported QoL (AFEQT, MAFSI, SF-36)
Methodological detailssham-controlled, double-blind
- Sham-controlled
- Double-blind
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Overall AFEQT score vs reduction in geometric mean AF burden
Reduction in geometric mean AF burden associated with improvement in overall AFEQT score: estimate 0.971 (95% CI 0.962 to 0.981)
P < 0.0001
Further findings
Symptom-specific analysis
- Stronger associations of AF burden with palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, tiredness, unable to exercise and weakness
Original publication
The Association Between Atrial Fibrillation Burden and Quality of Life: A Substudy of the SHAM-PVI Trial. JACC Clin Electrophysiol. Published 31 October 2025. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it