Cardiac rehabilitation for heart failure and atrial fibrillation: a propensity- matched study

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in individuals with heart failure (HF). Individuals with HF and AF may have a reduced functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) which leads to hospital admission and burden on clinical services. Evidence supported the effect of exercise training in individuals with HF. However, there is no existing data on the effectiveness of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in individuals with coexisting HF and AF.

Aim: To explore the effect of CR in individuals with HF and AF compared with those with HF and no-coexisting AF.

Methods: Using CR database, individuals with HF and AF were identified and propensity matched to those with no coexisting AF. The change in incremental shuttle walking test, Heart Disease Quality of Life questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scores were compared between groups pre-CR and post-CR.

Results: 149 individuals were propensity matched from each group. The mean±SD age of the matched sample was 73.4±8 years, body mass index 29±5.5 kg/m², left ventricular ejection fraction 35.2±9.8% and 56% were male.A statistically significant improvements in exercise capacity, heart disease QoL, anxiety and depression scores were observed within each group. There were no significant differences between groups for any of these outcome measures.

Conclusions: Individuals with HF and AF gain a similar improvement in exercise capacity and health related QoL outcomes as individuals with no coexisting AF following CR. The presence of AF did not compromise the effectiveness of CR.