Sex‐ and Age‐Dependent Outcomes of Cryoablation in Atrial Fibrillation: A 3‐ and 6‐Month Post‐Procedural
QoL
Analysis
Fotini Mitropoulou, Dimitris Tsiachris, Ioannis Doundoulakis, Stergios Soulaidopoulos, Dimitrios Delialis, Konstantinos Tsioufis, Antonis S. Manolis ABSTRACT
Background
Cryoablation is an established treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), offering effective rhythm control and symptomatic improvement. However, short‐term trajectories of quality‐of‐life (QoL) recovery—particularly regarding age‐ and sex‐related differences—remain insufficiently characterized. This study evaluated patterns of functional and emotional improvement within 3 and 6 months after cryoablation.
Methods
A prospective observational cohort of 150 patients undergoing cryoablation for AF was analyzed. QoL was assessed using the 36‐item short form (SF) (Physical and Mental Component Scores PCS and MCS) survey at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.
Results
Significant improvements were observed across all SF‐36 (57.5 at baseline to 77.1 at 3‐months and 80.1 at 6‐months, p < 0.001), PCS and MCS between baseline and follow‐up (main effect of time p < 0.001). An age × time interaction showed that younger patients (≤ 65 years) demonstrated greater functional gains both in 3 and 6 months compared to older adults ( p < 0.001 for all). A sex × time interaction was also noted for SF‐36 ( p = 0.046) and PCS ( p = 0.038), reflecting a trend for a more rapid improvement in men versus women. These sex differences were non‐significant after Bonferroni adjustment. Multivariable regression confirmed younger age as the strongest independent predictor of improvement (β = 18.2, p < 0.001), followed by paroxysmal AF type and baseline ejection fraction.
Conclusions
Cryoablation leads to substantial QoL improvements. While age is a robust independent predictor of recovery, sex‐specific differences in physical and emotional trajectories appear as notable trends requiring further investigation. These findings emphasize the need for individualized post‐procedural counseling and follow‐up tailored to demographic recovery profiles.