Potential for the six-minute walk test use in patients with atrial fibrillation

Makhinova M.M.

doi:https://doi.org/10.17116/profmed202528101129

OBJECTIVE

To review the literature data on the role of the six-minute walk test in patients with various types of atrial fibrillation, including after surgical treatment of heart rhythm disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The scientific papers available in the electronic databases PubMed, eLibrary, MedLine, Science Direct, and Research Gate were searched with search queries corresponding to the keywords of this article.

RESULTS

Currently, there are few studies on the use of the six-minute walk test in patients with atrial fibrillation. The studies generally evaluate the distance covered in 6 minutes and the heart rate before and after the test. This test is used in medical rehabilitation programs for patients after radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary veins.

CONCLUSION

The relative safety of the six-minute walk test and reliability of the results, ease of use and good tolerability enable the use of the test in comorbid patients with a history of cardiovascular diseases. Further clinical studies are still relevant.

Keywords:

six-minute walk test

atrial fibrillation

physical performance

physical training

radiofrequency ablation

Authors:

Makhinova M.M.

National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine

ORCID: 0000-0003-1058-0451

Received:

05.07.2025

Accepted:

14.07.2025

Close metadata

References:

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