Clinical efficacy of a personalized exercise program in the rehabilitation of patients with atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation

Aim. To study the clinical efficacy and safety of a personalized exercise program in the rehabilitation of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) after primary pulmonary vein radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Material and methods. Patients (n=48) with paroxysmal AF who underwent RFA were randomized into two groups: main (n=24) — patients involved in the exercise program and received standard therapy; control (n=24) — patients received standard therapy. The program included exercise complexes with the calculation of energy consumption, step training and walking. The program lasted 6 months, while the follow-up period — 12 months. All patients in the study underwent a faceto-face learning interview.

Results. After 6-month exercise program, bicycle ergometer test revealed an increase in duration (by 18,6%, p<0,001) and power (by 24,8%, p<0,01) of the load, while these changes were not revealed in the control group. The positive aftereffect of training on these parameters persisted even after the completion of program. Left atrial and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension remained stable in exercise program group and significantly increased in the control group. In contrast to the control group, the following parameters significantly decreased in trained patients after 6 months: body mass index by 2,8% (p<0,05), systolic blood pressure by 2,1% (p<0,05), heart rate by 12,1% (p<0,05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration by 18,8% (p<0,001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein by 22,9% (p<0,05), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide by 28,2% ( p<0,05), aldosterone by 41,5% (p<0,001) and angiotensin II by 41,3%, p<0,05). In addition, in the exercise program group an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 20,6% (p<0,05) and physical activity level by 23,8% (p=0,001) was revealed. At the same time, both groups showed a significant decrease in the concentration of fibrinogen and transforming growth factor-β1. After 6 months, in the exercise program group versus the control group, there was a decrease in the number of registered supraventricular premature beats (p<0,01), episodes of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (p<0,05), including AF (p<0,05).

Conclusion. Involvement of patients with AF after catheter RFA in a cardiac rehabilitation program based on moderate-intensity aerobic training improves exercise tolerance, cardiac function, corrects thrombogenic factors, and reduces the likelihood of arrhythmia recurrence, including AF.

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