Exercise Capacity Before and After AF Ablation in Patients With HFpEF

Exercise Capacity in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Before and After Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

In a prospective, observational pilot study of patients scheduled for an atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation at the University of Vermont Medical Center the investigators will compare exercise capacity before and four months after AF ablation.

Patients ≥ 18 years of age who are scheduled for an AF ablation at the University of Vermont Medical Center will be screened for the following inclusion criteria: H2FpEF score of ≥ 6 (corresponding to ≥90% probability of HFpEF (19)) AND echocardiogram within the past 2 years that reported a LV ejection fraction ≥ 50% AND at least one symptom of HF (dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea). Exclusion criteria: (1) Life expectancy <12 months, (2) moderate or more valvular disease, (3) inability to walk on a treadmill. Patients with early recurrent AF (defined as AF after a 12-week post-procedural blanking period accounting for post-ablation inflammation) will be withdrawn from the study and not proceed to the 4 month follow up visit.

Inclusion Criteria:

• H2FpEF score of ≥ 6 (corresponding to >90% probability of HFpEF (19))
• echocardiogram within the past 2 years that reported a LV ejection fraction ≥ 50%
• at least one symptom of HF (dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea).
• AF ablation scheduled at UVMMC

Exclusion Criteria:

• Life expectancy <12 months
• moderate or more valvular disease
• inability to walk on a treadmill