Comparing the effects of pulsed and radiofrequency catheter ablation on quality of life, anxiety, and depression of patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia: a single-center, randomized, single-blind, standard-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) may lead to decreased quality of life (QOL) and increased anxiety and depression in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), possibly due to the lack of selectivity of the ablation tissue and the long ablation time. In recent years, pulsed field ablation (PFA) has been used for the first time in China to treat PSVT patients because of its ability to ablate abnormal tissue sites in a precise and transient manner. This study was conducted to compare the effects of PFA and RFCA on QOL and psychological symptoms of PSVT patients. METHODS: We have designed a single-center, randomized, single-blind, standard-controlled trial. A total of 50 participants who met the eligibility criteria would be randomly allocated into the PFA group or RFCA group in a 1:1 ratio. All participants were assessed using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at pre-procedure (T0), post-procedure (T1), and 3 months post-procedure (T2). The SPSS 21.0 software was used to analyze the data through Wilcoxon and Fisher's exact tests and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Twenty-five in the PFA group and 24 in the RFCA group completed the trial. SF-36: (1) Between-group comparison: At T1, PFA group had significantly higher SF-36 scores on physiological function (PF) and general health (GH) than RFCA group, with a treatment difference of 5.61 points and 18.51 points(P < 0.05). (2) Within-group comparison: We found that in the PFA and RFCA groups, T2 showed significant improvement in the remaining 6 subscales of the SF-36 scale compared to T1 and T0 (P < 0.05), except for body pain (BP) and social function (SF) scores. HADS: (1) Between-group comparison: no significant difference (P > 0.05). (2) Within-group comparison: The HADS scores of the PFA and RFCA groups were statistically significant at T2 compared to T0 and T1 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided new and meaningful evidence that PFA was effective in significantly improving QOL and decreasing anxiety and depression in PFA patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200060272.

Laughter is the best medicine: A novel finding in the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia in a paediatric emergency patient.

We present a novel case of laughter induction that was noted to terminate an episode of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in a 10 year old girl who presented to a large metropolitan emergency department. In the initial management of this patient's SVT, traditional vagal maneuvers (including the valsalva maneuver and stimulation of the mammalian divers reflex) were attempted unsuccessfully. While awaiting further treatment, nursing staff presented the patient with an inflated examination glove that had been crafted into the shape of an elephant. This resulted in a fit of laughter that appeared to terminate the child's arrhythmia. Existing studies identified in the literature help to establish a correlation between the thoracic and cardiovascular physiology of laughter and the mechanics of the traditional Valsalva maneuver. Our patient's case highlights the potential positive impact of this physiology when applied in the context of the paediatric patient presenting in SVT. In the context of the available evidence, the case of our 10-year-old patient serves as a thought-provoking example of the real world relationship between laughter and the traditional Valsalva maneuver. The utility of laughter in the management of supraventricular tachycardia is an area that warrants further investigation.

IMPACT OF RADIOFREQUENCY CATHETER ABLATION ON HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSED BY THE SF-36 QUESTIONNAIRE IN PATIENTS WITH PAROXYSMAL SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of catheter ablation on different aspects of health-related quality of life in association with patients' age, gender and the type of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. We investigated 70 consecutive patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (AV Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT), AV Reentrant Tachycardia (AVRT) or Atrial Tachycardia (AT)) who underwent a catheter ablation. The patients were asked to fill out the short form (SF-36) health questionnaire before the ablation on the day of the procedure and after 3 months of a successful catheter ablation and eight health concept scores (1. Physical functioning; 2. Role limitations due to physical health; 3. Role limitations due to emotional problems; 4. Energy/fatigue; 5. Emotional wellbeing; 6. Social functioning; 7. Bodily pain; and 8. General health) were assessed before and after ablation. All health concept scores improved significantly after successful catheter ablation procedure. The result for the whole group were as follows: 1. physical functioning improved from mean 61.42±24.82 to 77.15±18.80 (p<0.001). 2. Score for the role limitations due to physical health improved from 41.78±39.17 to 75.35±33.91 (p<0.001). 3. Score for the role limitations due to emotional problems improved from 48.07±42.32 to 80.46±33.81 (p<0.001). 4. Energy/Fatigue score improved from 56.71±19.97 to 68.78±16.40 (p<0.001). 5. Emotional wellbeing score improved from 58.22±17.31 to 71.88±14.33 (p<0.001). 6. Social functioning score improved from 68.39±24.51 to 81.00±19.12 (p<0.001). 7. Pain score improved from 59.82±28.65 to 80.57±20.58 (p<0.001) and 8. General health score improved from 48.42±15.26 to 62.57±15.43 (p<0.001). This study shows that catheter ablation which can effectively cure the patients from the paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia significantly improves physical, emotional and social health scores by eliminating the arrhythmia episodes and associated symptoms and anxiety in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia irrespective of patient demographics and the type of the SVT.

INFLUENCE OF CATHETER ABLATION OF PAROXYSMAL SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA ON PATIENTS' ANXIETY.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of catheter ablation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia on patients' anxiety levels. We investigated 70 consecutive patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (AV Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT), AV Reentrant Tachycardia (AVRT) or Atrial Tachycardia (AT)) who underwent a catheter ablation. The patients filled out the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before the ablation on the day of the procedure and after 3 months of a successful catheter ablation. State and trait anxiety scores were compared before and after 3 months of ablation. The results were analyzed between different age (<50 vs ≥50 y), gender and the type of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (AVNRT vs AVRT/AT). Both state and trait anxiety scores improved significantly after catheter ablation. State anxiety score improved from mean 42.21±9.53 to 31.43±8.02 (p<0.001). Trait anxiety score improved from mean 45.76±7.80 to 39.80±7.33 (p<0.001). Present study demonstrates that the radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia by providing cure and eliminating the arrhythmia episodes significantly reduces both situational and general anxiety levels.

ANXIETY LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH PAROXY-SMAL SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA IN RELATION WITH THE PATIENT DEMOGRAPHICS, TYPE OF SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA AND THEIR PERSONALITY TYPE.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of different personality types and state and trait anxiety levels in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and their association with patients age, gender and the mechanism of the paroxysmal SVT. 62 patients with documented paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia who underwent endocardial eletrophysiological study and catheter ablation of the paroxysmal SVT were included in the study. The patients were asked to fill out the Myers-Brigss Type Indicator and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaires and the results were analyzed and correlated with the arrhythmia mechanism determined during electrophysiological study and catheter ablation procedure, and the patients' demographics (age and gender). There was no significant difference in State (mean 41.53±13.51, p=0.893) or Trait (mean 44.70±12.62, p=0.315) anxiety scores according to gender although higher scores were found in females. Older patients (≥50 years old compared to <50 years old) had higher anxiety scores but with no statistical significance (p=0.344 for state anxiety and p=0.100 for trait anxiety). The patients with AVNRT had significantly higher Trait anxiety scores (mean 46.82±10.52) than the patients with AVRT or AT (mean 40.59±10.91) (p=0.032). State anxiety score was not significantly different between patients with different SVT types (p=0.706). Anxiety is an important factor to be considered in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. It doesn't seem to be associated with different personality types. Female and older patients tend to show higher anxiety levels. The atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT) is associated with significantly higher trait anxiety levels compared to other types of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

Long-term symptom improvement and patient satisfaction following catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardia: insights from the German ablation registry.

AIMS: To analyse outcomes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) ablations performed within a prospective German Ablation Quality Registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from 12 566 patients who underwent catheter ablation of SVT between January 2007 and January 2010 to treat atrial fibrillation (AFIB, 37.2% of procedures), atrial flutter (AFL, 29.9%), atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT, 23.2%), atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia (6.3%), and focal atrial tachycardia (AT, 3.4%) were prospectively collected. Patients were followed for at least 1 year. The periprocedural success rate was 96.3%, ranging from 84.3% (focal AT) to 98.9% (AVNRT). Kaplan-Meier mortality estimate at 1 year was 1.4% overall, and as high as 2.6% in the AFL group and 2.8% in the focal AT group. Recurrence of ablated or another symptomatic SVT was observed in 3783 (32.6%) of patients, ranging from 17.2% (AVNRT) to 45.6% (AFIB). Repeat ablation was performed in 12.0% of patients. After 1 year, 74.1% of survivors perceived ablation therapy as successful, 15.7% as partly successful, and 9.6% as unsuccessful. Even in those patients with arrhythmia recurrence, 76.0% perceived ablation as successful or partly successful and 89.6% would still undergo repeat ablation in the same institution. CONCLUSION: Ablation therapy for SVT is a safe procedure bringing symptomatic improvement and satisfaction to three quarters of patients after 1 year. Even in patients with arrhythmia recurrence, a high satisfaction level and adherence to the ablating institution could be documented. Strikingly high mortality and stroke rates in follow-up were observed in AFL patients, who apparently need consistent long-term anticoagulation and more medical attention.

Impact on a Person's Daily Life During Episodes of Supraventricular Tachycardia.

PURPOSE: To describe the impact of episodes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) on a person's daily life from a holistic perspective. METHOD: A deductive descriptive design was used. Twenty semistructured interviews (12 women and 8 men) were conducted before planned ablation of SVT and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Living with SVT had a complex impact on daily life. Initially, the patients described an inhibited existence due to demands to give up things that they had previously been doing, in case the unpredictable episodes of SVT would occur. The episodes caused fatigue and worry, which together created a barrier for living life to the full by making the person give up undertakings. The patients constantly needed to find short-term and long-term strategies to prevent new episodes from happening. CONCLUSION: Episodes of SVT entail a complex life situation as the person's entire existence is affected in daily life. To understand the impact of SVT on daily life, nurses and other health care professionals need increased knowledge and understanding to be able to provide support through relevant information and take optimal care measures.

Effect of mental stress on dynamic electrophysiological properties of the endocardium and epicardium in humans.

BACKGROUND: Striking temporal associations exist between ventricular arrhythmia and acute mental stress, for example, during natural disasters, or defibrillator shocks associated with stressful events. We hypothesized that electrophysiological changes in response to mental stress may be exaggerated at short coupling intervals and hence relevant to arrhythmia initiation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the dynamic response in human electrophysiology during mental stress. METHODS: Patients with normal hearts and supraventricular tachycardia underwent electrophysiological studies avoiding sedation. Conditions of relaxation and stress were induced with standardized psychometric protocols (mental arithmetic and anger recall) during decremental S1S2 right ventricular (RV) pacing. Unipolar electrograms were acquired simultaneously from the RV endocardium, left ventricular (LV) endocardium (LV endo), and epicardium (LV epi), and activation-recovery intervals (ARIs) computed. RESULTS: Twelve patients ( 9 women; median age 34 years) were studied. During stress, effective refractory period (ERP) reduced from 228 ± 23 to 221 ± 21 ms (P < .001). ARIs reduced during mental stress (P < .001), with greater reductions in LV endocardium than in the epicardium or RV endocardium (LV endo -8 ms; LV epi -5 ms; RV endo -4 ms; P < .001). Mental stress depressed the entire electrical restitution curve, with minimal effect on slope. A substantial reduction in minimal ARIs on the restitution curve in LV endo occurred, commensurate with the reduction in ERP (LV endo ARI 195 ± 31 ms at rest to 182 ± 32 ms during mental stress; P < .001). Dispersion of repolarization increased sharply at coupling intervals approaching ERP during stress but not at rest. CONCLUSION: Mental stress induces significant electrophysiological changes. The increase in dispersion of repolarization at short coupling intervals may be relevant to observed phenomena of arousal-associated arrhythmia.

Radiofrequency ablation changes the quality of life of children with supraventricular tachycardias.

OBJECTIVE: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has rapidly become the first-line therapy for children with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Recently, more attention has been given to the measurement of health-related quality of life (QoL) in children. The primary aim of this study was to determine if there is a change in the QoL in children with SVT pre and post RFA procedure using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) cardiac inventory. In addition, the study discusses the impact of age, gender and variety of SVT mechanisms on the QoL. DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS: All consecutive children with SVT referred for RFA at Mansoura University Children's Hospital were enrolled in this study. The PedsQL cardiac module questionnaire was given to the children/parents to be filled out before and 1 month following RFA procedure. Evaluated areas were physical, emotional, social, school and psychosocial function. The paired t test was used to test the difference between pre-time and post-time points for the study groups. Demographic and clinical data were collected. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 38 patients who underwent a successful ablation. The mean age of the patients at the time of RFA procedure was 12.4±5.3 years. There was a statistically significant improvement in all measured areas 1 month post successful RFA as compared with pre ablation. Post ablation, the greatest score improvement was in physical functioning. Older children (>12 years) showed the greatest benefit, but gender and type of SVT did not influence outcome. CONCLUSIONS: RFA therapy is useful in improving QoL and perceptions in children with recurrent SVT.

[Anxiety levels and quality of life assessment in patients that underwent an electrophysiologic study due to unexplained palpitations]. / Açiklanamayan çarpinti nedeniyle elektrofizyolojik çalisma yapilan hastalarda yasam kalitesi ve kaygi düzeylerinin degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the quality of life and anxiety levels of patients with normal and abnormal results detected during an electrophysiological study (EPS) that was performed due to undocumented palpitations. STUDY DESIGN: Patients (n=128) who underwent EPS without documented arrhythmia of unexplained palpitations were included in the study. The quality of life and anxiety levels of patients with abnormal EPS results were compared with those with normal results by using the 26-item short form of the World Health Organization quality of life scale and state-trait anxiety inventory. RESULTS: SVT was found in 72 patients by diagnostic EPS. Quality of life scores were significantly poorer in the SVT group than of the normal EPS group (p=0.000-0.001). Likewise, the anxiety scores of the patients in the SVT group were higher than normal in the EPS group (p=0.000). Age, physical quality of life, psychological quality of life, state anxiety and trait anxiety were found to be independent predictors of SVT in multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The level of anxiety was found to be higher and quality of life was found to be lower in patients with palpitations due to SVT. In clinical practice it should be kept in mind that noticed psychiatric symptoms may be secondary to an underlying arrhythmia in the evaluation of patients with palpitations.

Does atrioventricular reentry tachycardia (AVRT) or atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) in children affect their cognitive and emotional development?

The current study sought to assess cognitive and emotional functions among children and adolescents with atrioventricular reentry tachycardia (AVRT) and atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT). 113 patients (62 girls and 51 boys ages, 9-18 years) scheduled for radiofrequency ablation due to AVRT or AVNRT underwent neuropsychologic examination. The study excluded patients who had experienced cardiac arrest, congenital heart defects, neurologic disorders, or other diseases affecting cognitive or emotional development. Standardized tests for examining verbal and visual memory as well as visual-spatial functioning were performed. For patients exhibiting deficits in two or more tests, a diagnosis of "cognitive deficits" was determined. Levels of anxiety were tested using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Cognitive deficits were found in 47.8 % of the patients. The age at first arrhythmia attack was related to memory dysfunction. The mean age at which the first symptoms occurred was significantly lower for patients with deficits (8.3 years) than for patients who had no deficit (10.2 years) (t = 2.15; p = 0.03). Boys exhibited a significantly higher level of trait anxiety than girls (t = 3.42; p = 0.0009). A significant negative correlation was found between anxiety and the age at appearance of the first symptoms (r = -0.26; p = 0.005). These findings led us to conclude that cognitive and emotional developments can be negatively affected by AVNRT and AVRT, particularly if tachycardia appears early in life.

The effect of radiofrequency ablation treatment on quality of life and anxiety in patients with supraventricular tachycardia.

AIM: Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) has been shown to be associated with poor outcome in psychological status and quality of life. This study aimed to assess the quality-of-life and anxiety in patients with PSVT and to investigate the influence of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment on these parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with newly diagnosed PSVT with electrophysiologic study and treated with RFA, were enrolled in the study and 50 healthy age-and sex-matched individuals. The brief version of World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale and the state-trait anxiety inventory were administered to controls and all patients before and three months after the RFA procedure. RESULTS: At baseline, in comparison with the control group, the patients with PSVT exhibited greater anxiety average scores (p < 0.05). After RFA procedure, the patients with PSVT exhibited significant improvement in anxiety, quality of life and health satisfaction scores. Statistically significant difference between the controls and the patients in respect to state and trait anxiety average scores disappeared after treatment (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, normalization of anxiety and quality of life is associated with RFA treatment for patients with PSVT. This finding need to be confirmed by larger scale clinical trials with long-term quality of life follow-up in higher number of patients.

Impact of radiofrequency ablation on health-related quality of life in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia compared with a norm population one year after treatment.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the impact of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). METHODS: HRQOL was assessed with the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) and EuroQol (EQ)-5D at baseline and 3 and 12 months after RFA. At 12 months, the patients were compared with an age- and gender-matched reference group. RESULTS: Patients showed a marked improvement in all the SF-36's scales at 3 months after treatment compared with baseline. Patients scored higher in all scales in the SF-36 but not in the EQ-5D's index at 12 months compared with baseline. No further improvements were detected from 3 to 12 months follow-up. Twelve months after treatment, patients scored equal to the reference group in the SF-36 and EQ-5D index, indicating a complete restoration of the HRQOL after RFA. CONCLUSION: PSVT is a condition with a pronounced impact on HRQOL. At 12 months follow-up after RFA, patients' HRQOL scores were similar to those of the age- and gender-matched reference group.

Does ablation of supraventricular tachycardia in children with a structurally normal heart improve quality of life?

INTRODUCTION: Ablation has become first-line therapy for managing many pediatric patients with atrioventicular accessory pathway or atrioventricular nodal-mediated supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Studies to date have all focused on elimination of the SVT substrate; yet, there are no studies to document whether this results in improved quality of life (QoL) scores. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether a successful catheter ablation improved QoL scores in pediatric patients. PATIENT AND METHODS: Pediatric patients between the age of 5 and 18 years with structurally normal hearts and re-entry SVT that were referred to the electrophysiology laboratory between October 2004 and June 2006 at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta were eligible to be enrolled in the study. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory cardiac model questionnaire was administered to patients prior to and 6 months following catheter ablation. Areas evaluated were physical, emotional, social, school, and psychosocial function. The paired t-test was used to test the difference between pre- and post-time points for the study groups. P value <.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Forty-three patients consented to initial enrollment and returned the initial questionnaires. Seven patients did not have ablations performed during the electrophysiology study and therefore were excluded from further analysis. Complete pre- and post-ablation data were available for 27 patients. Comparing pre-ablation data with post-ablation data, there was significant improvement in all measured areas following successful elimination of tachycardia substrate. Patients reported lowest social and physical functioning scores pre-ablation. The greatest reported improvement post-ablation was in physical functioning. CONCLUSION: Successful elimination of SVT substrate results in improved pediatric QoL scores as reported by patients.

Development and initial psychometric evaluation of the Patient Perspective of Arrhythmia Questionnaire.

There are no disease-specific questionnaires to measure patient sensitive outcomes in arrhythmia patients. We report the development and preliminary psychometric testing of the Patient Perception of Arrhythmia Questionnaire (PPAQ). The PPAQ was developed using formative research, exploratory factor analysis, expert review, pilot study, and regression. The PPAQ measures frequency and duration of episodes, symptoms, impact on daily activities, and restricted activity days. After preliminary content validation, the sensitivity of the PPAQ was tested in 103 arrhythmia patients. The measures showed good sensitivity and reliability. Preliminary construct validation was supported by significant differences (p < .001) among groups of arrhythmia patients consistent with clinical patterns. Preliminary evidence from patients with supraventricular arrhythmias suggests that the questionnaire has acceptable psychometrics and could be useful in future studies of arrhythmia patients.

Supraventricular tachycardia and the struggle to be believed.

BACKGROUND: Little research exists examining patient experiences of life with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Realistic expectations of symptoms, patient management strategies, and treatment options are important components of patient education and treatment decisions. AIM: This descriptive qualitative study explored patients' experiences living with SVT. METHODS: Grounded theory methodology was used with semi-structured interviews of 25 SVT patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation treatment. RESULTS: The main core category that emerged from the data was the "struggle to be believed". The struggle or work of living with SVT entails: (1) living with the uncertainty of the occurrence and duration of an episode, (2) "covering up" to manage symptoms and appear normal, (3) searching for causative factors to prevent further episodes, and (4) experimenting with management techniques to shorten or end episodes. CONCLUSION: Clinical diagnosis and referral for ablation treatment were more difficult for women suggesting existence of a gender bias. As with many other chronic conditions, the illness trajectory work is formidable. Patients in this study with SVT, however, reported facing the additional difficulty of being believed. Disruptions in self-esteem and personal relationships are the effects of not being believed. Providers could avoid minimizing women's symptoms by listening seriously and offering realistic expectations; including insight into patient experiences and the trajectory of the dysrhythmia; and efficacy of drug and ablation treatments.

[Alprazolam use improves psychological status and reduces hospitalization costs in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of alprazolam use on psychological status and hospitalization cost in patient with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia underwent electrophysiology studies or radiofrequency catheter ablation. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 142 inpatients [77 males, mean age (43.1 +/- 14.5) years] were randomly assigned to receive alprazolam (0.4 mg qd at 10PM for 3 days, n = 72) or placebo (n = 70) 3 days before scheduled electrophysiology studies or radiofrequency catheter ablation. All patients were examined by the Chinese version of Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) at 24 hours before the procedure. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, the scores of somatization (1.38 +/- 0.40 vs. 1.65 +/- 0.56, P < 0.01), anxiety (1.50 +/- 0.39 vs. 1.69 +/- 0.50, P < 0.05), phobic anxiety (1.24 +/- 0.36 vs. 1.47 +/- 0.57, P < 0.01), psychotism constructs (1.24 +/- 0.34 vs. 1.35 +/- 0.30, P < 0.05) and global severity index (1.36 +/- 0.35 vs. 1.49 +/- 0.37, P < 0.05) were significantly decreased in alprazolam group. The hospitalization costs were also significantly lower in alprazolam group (32 498 +/- 1170) yuan compared to placebo group (32 947 +/- 1096) yuan, P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: The alprazolam use before electrophysiology studies and radiofrequency catheter ablation can improve the patients' psychological status and reduce the hospitalization costs.

[Improvement of mental health and the quality of life after catheter ablation for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia].

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to observe change in subjective symptoms, quality of life (QOL) and mental health condition after catheter ablation (CA) for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) and to assess patient evaluation of the treatment. METHODS: The questionnaire was sent to 103 patients (86 with the Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome and 27 with atriovetricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)), who had received CA from February 1995 to January 1999. The question encompassed the condition of the patient, his or her evaluation of CA treatment, and a self-rating depression scale (SDS) together with social and subjective as well as non-specific physical points. We scored for improvement of QOL and SDS. Finally, from 82 patients who participated complete responses to the questionnaire were received from 59 (72.0%). The patients (50.5 +/- 15.8 years old, WPW syndrome; 41, AVNRT; 18) almost all (98.3%) RESULTS: gave a positive evaluation of CA. Over half (54.2%) no longer needed hospital consultation for any reason while three-quarters (76.3%) were free of life limitations. The complete cure rate from physicians was 100%. However, subjective symptoms of arrhythmia attack remained in 20.3% of the cases. Social and physical QOL were significantly improved after CA (social: < 0.05, physical: < 0.01) and the SDS score decreased significantly (< 0.05). 1. Self-awareness frequency of tachycardia attack, frequency of going to hospital and life CONCLUSION: limitations of PSVT patients decreased after CA. 2. QOL (social and physical QOL) and mental health condition significantly improved after CA. 3. Almost all patients (98.3%) gave a positive evaluation of CA. 4. Healthcare professionals should be aware that not only drug therapy, but also CA is effective for improvement of mental health and the QOL of patients with PSVT.