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Atrial fibrillation and cardiac rehabilitation: an overview

Benoit Robaye1, Nada Lakiss2, Frederic Dumont2

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Université Catholique de Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgium.

Acta Cardiologica
|February 23, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac rehabilitation and regular physical activity can reduce arrhythmia time in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. While safe, its impact on mortality and hospitalizations requires further large-scale study.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Exercise Physiology

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, with increasing incidence.
  • Current treatments for AF often fall short, leading to significant mortality and functional limitations.
  • There is a need for enhanced care standards for managing atrial fibrillation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the benefits and safety of incorporating atrial fibrillation patients into cardiac rehabilitation programs.
  • To provide clinicians with evidence-based insights into the role of cardiac rehabilitation in AF management.
  • To explore the impact of physical activity on atrial fibrillation outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A narrative review of prospective, randomized controlled trials.
  • Studies published within the last 10 years and indexed in the PubMed Database were selected.
  • The review focused on the safety and impact of rehabilitation on AF incidence and tolerance.

Main Results:

  • Cardiac rehabilitation and moderate physical activity reduce arrhythmia burden in paroxysmal and persistent AF.
  • In chronic AF, rehabilitation may lower resting ventricular rate, improving symptoms.
  • Cardiac rehabilitation is demonstrated as safe and manageable for AF patients, with no significant increase in side effects.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiac rehabilitation is a safe and beneficial intervention for managing atrial fibrillation symptoms and reducing arrhythmia burden.
  • The effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation in reducing mortality and hospitalizations in AF patients remains to be conclusively demonstrated.
  • Larger, long-term studies are necessary to fully establish the long-term benefits and outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation for atrial fibrillation.

Keywords:
Atrial fibrillationcardiac arrythmiacardiac rehabilitationexercice training

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