Psychological distress and suicidal ideation in patients with atrial fibrillation: Prevalence and response to management strategy

Abstract

Background-—An association between atrial fibrillation (AF), anxiety, and depression is recognized, but the spectrum of psychological distress remains unclear. We aimed to characterize the severity and predictors of distress associated with AF in a tertiary population and its response to AF management. Methods and Results-—Seventy-eight patients with symptomatic AF underwent evaluation, including of AF symptom severity, health-related quality of life, psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and specific personality traits. Twenty participants underwent AF ablation and 58 were managed medically, with repeat assessments at 4, 8, and 12 months. Severe distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depressio..