Caregiving for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review of the Scientific Literature

Abstract

Aim: Caregiving processes and outcomes have been increasingly articulated in the cardiovascular literature, particularly in heart failure and coronary artery disease, but there has been no synthesis on caregiving for a patient with atrial fibrillation (AF). This review synthesized scientific evidence that describes caregiving in the context of AF, with the aim of informing future research priorities for AF caregiving or clinical approaches that may support these caregivers.

Methods and results: Informed by PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a mixed methods systematic review with a data-based convergence design using a thematic synthesis approach. All studies that examined factors related to caregiving for patients with AF, either as a descriptive, predictor, or outcome variable, were included. After the search, data from thirteen studies were abstracted; half of the studies (53%) were of low to moderate quality. Changes to the family unit and feelings of uncertainty are common post-AF; a subset of caregivers struggle with mental health challenges, particularly those who are unwell themselves or those who provide several hours of care to patients with more advanced symptoms or limitations. Informational support for caregivers appears to be lacking but was desired to better adapt to the changes or consequences incurred from AF.

Conclusion: This review complements findings from previous reviews conducted in other cardiovascular disease sub-groups. As there is still limited high-quality research on caregiving in an AF context, additional research is required to adequately inform supportive programming for caregivers of patients with AF, if indicated.