Impact of Routine Postoperative Care Versus Nurse-Led Lifestyle Interventions on Patient Outcomes After Radiofrequency Ablation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia associated with significant morbidity. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a widely used treatment, but postoperative complications and recurrence remain concerns. Nurse-led lifestyle interventions have been proposed as a strategy to improve patient outcomes after RFA.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of routine (usual) care versus a nurse-led lifestyle intervention on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing RFA for paroxysmal AF.

METHODS

A total of 160 patients undergoing RFA for paroxysmal AF were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group or the usual-care group. The intervention group received tailored lifestyle interventions managed by a nurse-led multidisciplinary team, focusing on exercise, diet, medication adherence, and psychological support. The usual-care group received standard postoperative care. The primary outcomes were quality of life (Short Form-36 scores) and recurrence of AF. Data were collected at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

RESULTS

The nurse-led lifestyle intervention group showed significant improvements in Short Form-36 scores for Physical Functioning, Role Limitations, Vitality, General Health, and Social Functioning compared with the usual-care group at 6 months ( P  < .05). The recurrence rate of AF at 12 months was significantly lower in the nurse-led lifestyle intervention group (12.5%) compared with the usual-care group (26.3%, P  = .021). The incidence of postoperative complications was also reduced in the nurse-led lifestyle intervention group.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that nurse-led care models may provide a valuable approach to optimizing postoperative outcomes for AF patients, emphasizing the need for structured, personalized interventions in clinical practice.