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Andrade JG. Ablation as First-line Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation. Eur Cardiol 2023; 18:e46. [PMID: 37546183 PMCID: PMC10398511 DOI: 10.15420/ecr.2023.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AF is a chronic and progressive heart rhythm disorder characterised by exacerbations and remissions. Contemporary guidelines recommend antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) as the initial therapy for the maintenance of sinus rhythm. However, these medications have modest efficacy and are associated with significant adverse effects. Several recent trials have evaluated catheter ablation as an initial therapy for AF, demonstrating that cryoballoon catheter ablation significantly improves arrhythmia outcomes (e.g. atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence and arrhythmia burden), produces clinically meaningful improvements in patient-reported outcomes (e.g. symptoms and quality of life), and significantly decreases healthcare resource usage (e.g. hospitalisation), without increasing the risk of serious adverse events. Moreover, in contrast to antiarrhythmic drugs, catheter ablation appears to be disease-modifying, significantly reducing the progression of disease. These findings are relevant to patients, providers, and healthcare systems, helping inform the initial choice of rhythm-control therapy in patients with treatment-naïve AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason G Andrade
- University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation Vancouver, Canada
- Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal Montreal, Canada
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Qeska D, Singh SM, Qiu F, Manoragavan R, Cheung CC, Ko DT, Sud M, Terricabras M, Wijeysundera HC. Variation and clinical consequences of wait-times for atrial fibrillation ablation: population level study in Ontario, Canada. Europace 2023; 25:euad074. [PMID: 36942997 PMCID: PMC10227764 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder. Emerging evidence supporting the efficacy of catheter ablation in managing AF has led to increased demand for this therapy, potentially outpacing the capacity to perform this procedure. Mismatch between demand and capacity for AF ablation results in wait-times which have not been comprehensively evaluated at a population level. Additionally, the consequences of such delays in AF ablation, namely the risk of hospitalization or adverse events, have not been studied. METHODS AND RESULTS This observational cohort study included adults referred for catheter ablation to treat AF in Ontario, Canada, between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2020. Wait-time was defined from referral to the earliest of ablation, death, off-list, or the study endpoint of 31 March 2022. The outcomes of interest included a composite of death, hospitalization for AF/heart failure, and emergency department visit for AF/heart failure. Our study cohort included 6253 patients referred for de novo AF ablation. The median wait-time for patients who received and who did not receive ablation was 218 days (IQR: 112-363) and 520 days (IQR: 270-763), respectively. Wait-time increased consistently for patients referred between October 2017 and March 2020. Mortality was rare, but significant morbidity was observed, affecting 19.2% of patients on the waitlist for AF ablation. Paroxysmal AF was associated with a statistically significant greater risk for adverse outcomes on the waitlist (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.18-1.93). CONCLUSION Wait-times for AF ablation are increasing and are associated with significant morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Qeska
- Schulich Heart Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room A202, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Sheldon M Singh
- Schulich Heart Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room A202, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Feng Qiu
- ICES, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room G1 06, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Ragavie Manoragavan
- Schulich Heart Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room A202, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Christopher C Cheung
- Schulich Heart Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room A202, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Dennis T Ko
- Schulich Heart Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room A202, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- ICES, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room G1 06, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College St., Toronto, ON M5T 3M6, Canada
| | - Maneesh Sud
- Schulich Heart Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room A202, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- ICES, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room G1 06, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College St., Toronto, ON M5T 3M6, Canada
| | - Maria Terricabras
- Schulich Heart Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room A202, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Harindra C Wijeysundera
- Schulich Heart Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room A202, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- ICES, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room G1 06, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College St., Toronto, ON M5T 3M6, Canada
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Mohanty S, Natale A. Impact of Catheter Ablation on Quality of Life and Healthcare Utilisation. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2021; 10:258-261. [PMID: 35106178 PMCID: PMC8785075 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2021.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Impairment of quality of life (QoL) is a well-known complication of AF. Because of the association of AF with older age and many other cardiovascular comorbidities, there are multiple factors that could influence QoL score even after successful AF intervention. However, substantial improvement in QoL has been reported following catheter ablation for AF regardless of ablation outcomes. In terms of healthcare resource utilisation, the expenses associated with AF are very high because of the hospitalisations for AF-related thromboembolic complications, aggravation of heart failure, AF interventions, and emergency room visits for incessant arrhythmia episodes, and they represent a large economic burden worldwide. Several trials have shown a drastic reduction in healthcare costs following successful AF ablation. In this review, the authors discuss this evidence systematically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanghamitra Mohanty
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St David’s Medical Center, Austin, TX, US
| | - Andrea Natale
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St David’s Medical Center, Austin, TX, US
- Interventional Electrophysiology, Scripps Clinic, San Diego, CA, US
- Metro Health Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, US
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Ha ACT, Wijeysundera HC, Qiu F, Henning K, Ahmad K, Angaran P, Birnie DH, Crystal E, Ha AH, Healey JS, Leong-Sit P, Makanjee B, Nery PB, Redfearn DP, Skanes AC, Verma A. Differences in Healthcare Use Between Patients With Persistent and Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Catheter-Based Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: A Population-Based Cohort Study From Ontario, Canada. J Am Heart Assoc 2020; 10:e016071. [PMID: 33381975 PMCID: PMC7955473 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.016071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing catheter-based AF ablation have lower success rates than those with paroxysmal AF. We compared healthcare use and clinical outcomes between patients according to their AF subtypes. Methods and Results Consecutive patients undergoing AF ablation were prospectively identified from a population-based registry in Ontario, Canada. Via linkage with administrative databases, we performed a retrospective analysis comparing the following outcomes between patients with persistent and paroxysmal AF: healthcare use (defined as AF-related hospitalizations/emergency room visits), periprocedural complications, and mortality. Multivariable Poisson modeling was performed to compare the rates of AF-related and all-cause hospitalizations/emergency room visits in the year before versus after ablation. Between April 2012 and March 2016, there were 3768 consecutive patients who underwent first-time AF ablation, of whom 1040 (27.6%) had persistent AF. The mean follow-up was 1329 days. Patients with persistent AF had higher risk of AF-related hospitalization/emergency room visits (hazard ratio [HR], 1.21; 95% CI, 1.09-1.34), mortality (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.15-2.63), and periprocedural complications (odds ratio, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.02-1.75) than those with paroxysmal AF. In the overall cohort, there was a 48% reduction in the rate of AF-related hospitalization/emergency room visits in the year after versus before ablation (rate ratio [RR], 0.52; 95% CI, 0.48-0.56). This reduction was observed for patients with paroxysmal (RR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.41-0.50) and persistent (RR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.63-0.87) AF. Conclusions Although patients with persistent AF had higher risk of adverse outcomes than those with paroxysmal AF, ablation was associated with a favorable reduction in downstream AF-related healthcare use, irrespective of AF type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C T Ha
- Department of Medicine University of Toronto Ontario Canada.,Peter Munk Cardiac CentreToronto General HospitalUniversity Health Network Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Harindra C Wijeysundera
- Department of Medicine University of Toronto Ontario Canada.,Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Toronto Ontario Canada.,ICES Toronto Ontario Canada
| | | | | | - Kamran Ahmad
- Department of Medicine University of Toronto Ontario Canada.,St. Michael's HospitalUnity Health Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Paul Angaran
- Department of Medicine University of Toronto Ontario Canada.,St. Michael's HospitalUnity Health Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - David H Birnie
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute Ottawa Ontario Canada
| | - Eugene Crystal
- Department of Medicine University of Toronto Ontario Canada.,Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Andrew H Ha
- Trillium Health Partners Mississauga Ontario Canada
| | - Jeff S Healey
- Department of Medicine Hamilton Health Sciences Population Health Research Institute McMaster University Hamilton Ontario Canada
| | - Peter Leong-Sit
- Division of Cardiology Western UniversityLondon Health Sciences Centre London Ontario Canada
| | | | - Pablo B Nery
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute Ottawa Ontario Canada
| | - Damian P Redfearn
- Division of Cardiology Kingston General HospitalQueen's University Kingston Ontario Canada
| | - Allan C Skanes
- Division of Cardiology Western UniversityLondon Health Sciences Centre London Ontario Canada
| | - Atul Verma
- Department of Medicine University of Toronto Ontario Canada.,Southlake Regional Health Centre Newmarket Ontario Canada
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