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Moustafa A, Elzanaty A, Karim S, Eltahawy E, Maraey A, Kahaly O, Chacko P. Mortality post in-patient catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in rural versus urban areas: Insights from national inpatient sample database. Curr Probl Cardiol 2024; 49:102183. [PMID: 37913928 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of evidence is supportive of early atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation to maintain sinus rhythm. Disparities in health care between rural and urban areas in the United States are well known. Catheter ablation (CA) of AF is a complex procedure and its outcomes among rural versus urban areas has not been studied in the past. METHODS The national inpatient sample database 2016-2020 was queried for all hospitalization with the primary diagnosis of AF who underwent AF catheter ablation at the index hospitalization. Then, hospitalizations were stratified into rural versus urban. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were total hospitalization costs and likelihood for longer length of stay. RESULTS A total of 78,735 patients underwent inpatient CA of AF between January 2016 and December 2020, mean age was 68.5 ± 11 with 44 % being females. 27,180 (35 %) CA were performed in rural areas, while the remaining CA 51,555 (65 %) were done in urban areas. While, there was very low risk of mortality, patients who underwent CA in rural areas had more comorbidities and also was associated with a 79 % increase in post-procedural in-hospital mortality compared with urban areas (aOR 1.79, 0.8 % vs 0.4 %, CI: 1.15-2.78, P < 0.01). CA of AF in rural areas had a longer length of hospital stay (aOR 1.11, 4.21 vs 3.79 days, 95 % CI: 1.02-1.2, P = 0.02), lower overall cost compared with urban areas (49,698 ± 1251 vs. $53,252 ± 1339, P = 0.03). Multivariate regression analysis showed end stage renal disease and congestive heart failure were independent risk factors associated with increase in post CA in-hospital mortality exceeding two-fold. CONCLUSION Inpatient CA of AF in rural areas was associated with higher in-hospital mortality, longer length of stay and a lower overall cost when compared with urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ahmed Elzanaty
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Saima Karim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, MetroHealth Medical Center/Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ehab Eltahawy
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Ahmed Maraey
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Omar Kahaly
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Promedica- Toledo Hospital, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Paul Chacko
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
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Zeitler EP, Kim MH. Resource Use Following Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Spending Resources to Save Resources. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e031411. [PMID: 37681513 PMCID: PMC10547283 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.031411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily P. Zeitler
- Dartmouth‐Hitchcock Medical Center and The Dartmouth InstituteLebanonNH
- The Geisel School of Medicine at DartmouthHanoverNH
| | - Michael H. Kim
- Creighton University School of Medicine and CHI HealthOmahaNE
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Hijazi W, Vandenberk B, Rennert-May E, Quinn A, Sumner G, Chew DS. Economic evaluation in cardiac electrophysiology: Determining the value of emerging technologies. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1142429. [PMID: 37180811 PMCID: PMC10169721 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1142429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac electrophysiology is a constantly evolving speciality that has benefited from technological innovation and refinements over the past several decades. Despite the potential of these technologies to reshape patient care, their upfront costs pose a challenge to health policymakers who are responsible for the assessment of the novel technology in the context of increasingly limited resources. In this context, it is critical for new therapies or technologies to demonstrate that the measured improvement in patients' outcomes for the cost of achieving that improvement is within conventional benchmarks for acceptable health care value. The field of Health Economics, specifically economic evaluation methods, facilitates this assessment of value in health care. In this review, we provide an overview of the basic principles of economic evaluation and provide historical applications within the field of cardiac electrophysiology. Specifically, the cost-effectiveness of catheter ablation for both atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular tachycardia, novel oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in AF, left atrial appendage occlusion devices, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Hijazi
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Bert Vandenberk
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elissa Rennert-May
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Amity Quinn
- O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Glen Sumner
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Derek S. Chew
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Zenger B, Li H, Bunch TJ, Crawford C, Fang JC, Groh CA, Hess R, Navaravong L, Ranjan R, Young J, Zhang Y, Steinberg BA. Major drivers of healthcare system costs and cost variability for routine atrial fibrillation ablation. Heart Rhythm O2 2023; 4:251-257. [PMID: 37124552 PMCID: PMC10134392 DOI: 10.1016/j.hroo.2022.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Catheter ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) but incurs significant financial costs to payers. Reducing variability may improve cost effectiveness. Objectives We aimed to measure (1) the components of direct and indirect costs for routine AF ablation procedures, (2) the variability of those costs, and (3) the main factors driving ablation cost variability. Methods Using data from the University of Utah Health Value Driven Outcomes system, we were able to measure direct, inflation-adjusted costs of uncomplicated, routine AF ablation to the healthcare system. Direct costs were considered costs incurred by pharmacy, disposable supplies, patient labs, implants, and other services categories (primarily anesthesia support) and indirect costs were considered within imaging, facility, and electrophysiology lab management categories. Results A total of 910 patients with 1060 outpatient ablation encounters were included from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2020. Disposable supplies accounted for the largest component of cost with 44.8 ± 9.7%, followed by other services (primarily anesthesia support) with 30.4 ± 7.7% and facility costs with 16.1 ± 5.6%; pharmacy, imaging, and implant costs each contributed <5%. Direct costs were larger than indirect costs (82.4 ± 5.6% vs 17.6 ± 5.6%). Multivariable regression showed that procedure operator was the primary factor associated with AF ablation overall cost (up to 12% differences depending on operator). Conclusions Direct costs and other services (primarily anesthesia) drive the majority costs associated with AF ablations. There is significant variability in costs for these routine, uncomplicated AF ablation procedures. The procedure operator, and not patient characteristic, is the main driver for cost variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Zenger
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Haojia Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - T. Jared Bunch
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Candice Crawford
- Decision Support, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - James C. Fang
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Christopher A. Groh
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Rachel Hess
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Leenhapong Navaravong
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Ravi Ranjan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Jeff Young
- Decision Support, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Benjamin A. Steinberg
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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D'Souza S, Elshazly MB, Dargham SR, Donnellan E, Asaad N, Hayat S, Kanj M, Baranowski B, Wazni O, Saliba W, Abi Khalil C. Atrial fibrillation catheter ablation complications in obese and diabetic patients: Insights from the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2005-2013. Clin Cardiol 2021; 44:1151-1160. [PMID: 34132405 PMCID: PMC8364717 DOI: 10.1002/clc.23667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity and diabetes are risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence and recurrence after catheter ablation. However, their impact on post-ablation complications in real-world practice is unknown. OBJECTIVES We examine annual trends in AF ablations and procedural outcomes in obese and diabetic patients in the US and whether obesity and diabetes are independently associated with adverse outcomes. METHODS Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2005-2013), we identified obese and diabetic patients admitted for AF ablation. Common complications were identified using ICD-9-CM codes. The primary outcome included the composite of any in-hospital complication or death. Annual trends of the primary outcome, length-of-stay (LOS) and total-inflation adjusted hospital charges were examined. Multivariate analyses studied the association of obesity and diabetes with outcomes. RESULTS An estimated 106 462 AF ablations were performed in the US from 2005 to 2013. Annual trends revealed a gradual increase in ablations performed in obese and diabetic patients and in complication rates. The overall rate of the primary outcome in obese was 11.7% versus 8.2% in non-obese and 10.7% in diabetic versus 8.2% in non-diabetic patients (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Obesity was independently associated with increased complications (adjusted OR, 95% CI:1.39, 1.20-1.62), longer LOS (1.36, 1.23-1.49), and higher charges (1.16, 1.12-1.19). Diabetes was only associated with longer LOS (1.27, 1.16-1.38). Obesity, but not diabetes, in patients undergoing AF ablation is an independent risk factor for immediate post-ablation complications and higher costs. Future studies should investigate whether weight loss prior to ablation reduces complications and costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn D'Souza
- Research Department, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohamed B Elshazly
- Research Department, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.,Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Heart Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Soha R Dargham
- Research Department, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.,Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Biomathematics Research Core, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Eoin Donnellan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Nidal Asaad
- Research Department, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Heart Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sajjad Hayat
- Research Department, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Heart Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohamed Kanj
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Brian Baranowski
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Oussama Wazni
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Walid Saliba
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Charbel Abi Khalil
- Research Department, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.,Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Heart Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
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Chew DS, Loring Z, Anand J, Fudim M, Lowenstern A, Rymer JA, Weimer KED, Atwater BD, DeVore AD, Exner DV, Noseworthy PA, Yancy CW, Mark DB, Piccini JP. Economic Evaluation of Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2020; 13:e007094. [PMID: 33280436 DOI: 10.1161/circoutcomes.120.007094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction may improve survival and other cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS We constructed a decision-analytic Markov model to estimate the costs and benefits of catheter ablation and medical management in patients with symptomatic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%) and atrial fibrillation over a lifetime horizon. Evidence from the published literature informed the model inputs, including clinical effectiveness data from meta-analyses. Probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed. A 3% discount rate was applied to both future costs and benefits. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio assessed from the US health care sector perspective. RESULTS Catheter ablation was associated with 6.47 (95% CI, 5.89-6.93) quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and a total cost of $105 657 (95% CI, $55 311-$191 934; 2018 US dollars), compared with 5.30 (95% CI, 5.20-5.39) QALYs and $63 040 (95% CI, $37 624-$102 260) for medical management. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for catheter ablation compared with medical management was $38 496 (95% CI, $5583-$117 510) per QALY gained. Model inputs with the greatest variation on incremental cost-effectiveness ratio estimates were the cost of ablation and the effect of catheter ablation on mortality reduction. When assuming a more conservative estimate of the treatment effect of catheter ablation on mortality (hazard ratio of 0.86), the estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $74 403 per QALY gained. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per QALY gained, atrial fibrillation ablation was found to be economically favorable compared with medical management in 95% of simulations. CONCLUSIONS Catheter ablation in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction patients and atrial fibrillation may be considered economically attractive at current benchmarks for societal willingness-to-pay in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek S Chew
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (D.S.C., Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.)
| | - Zak Loring
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (D.S.C., Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.).,Division of Cardiology (Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., B.D.A., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Jatin Anand
- Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery (J.A.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Marat Fudim
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (D.S.C., Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.).,Division of Cardiology (Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., B.D.A., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Angela Lowenstern
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (D.S.C., Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.).,Division of Cardiology (Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., B.D.A., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Jennifer A Rymer
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (D.S.C., Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.).,Division of Cardiology (Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., B.D.A., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Kristin E D Weimer
- Department of Pediatrics (K.E.D.W.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Brett D Atwater
- Division of Cardiology (Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., B.D.A., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Adam D DeVore
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (D.S.C., Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.).,Division of Cardiology (Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., B.D.A., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Derek V Exner
- Department of Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada (D.V.E.)
| | - Peter A Noseworthy
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (P.A.N.)
| | - Clyde W Yancy
- Division of Cardiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (C.W.Y.)
| | - Daniel B Mark
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (D.S.C., Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.).,Division of Cardiology (Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., B.D.A., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Jonathan P Piccini
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (D.S.C., Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.).,Division of Cardiology (Z.L., M.F., A.L., J.A.R., B.D.A., A.D.D., D.B.M., J.P.P.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
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Rationale, considerations, and goals for atrial fibrillation centers of excellence: A Heart Rhythm Society perspective. Heart Rhythm 2020; 17:1804-1832. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2020.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Gautam S. Primum Non Nocere. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2020; 6:125-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2019.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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