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Mené R, Sousonis V, Schmidt B, Bordignon S, Neven K, Reichlin T, Blaauw Y, Hansen J, Ouss A, Reinsch N, Mulder BA, Ruwald MH, van der Voort P, Kueffer T, Jacob S, Chun KRJ, Boveda S. Safety and efficacy of pulsed-field ablation for atrial fibrillation in the elderly: A EU-PORIA sub-analysis. Int J Cardiol 2024; 417:132522. [PMID: 39245073 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of catheter ablation in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. Pulsed field ablation (PFA) demonstrates a favorable clinical profile, however, data on elderly patients are lacking. AIMS We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of PFA in the elderly, using data from the EU-PORIA registry. METHODS Periprocedural complications and long-term safety and efficacy outcomes of AF ablation using the pentaspline PFA catheter (Farapulse™) were compared between patients older than 80 years old and their younger counterparts, across seven European centers. RESULTS Among the 1233 patients in the registry, 88 (7.1 %) were older than 80 years. Elderly patients were more often females (51.1 % vs 37.8 %, p = 0.01) with a lower median BMI (26.0, IQR:23.5-29.2 vs 26.9, IQR:24.4-30.4 kg/m2, p = 0.02), a higher median CHA2DS2-VASc score (4, IQR:3-5 vs 2, IQR:1-3, p < 0.001) and a higher incidence of hypertension (73.9 % vs 52.7 %, p < 0.001). In both groups, most patients had paroxysmal AF (58.0 % vs 60.3 %, p = 0.65). Ablation in the elderly was more frequently performed with minimally interrupted anticoagulation (87.5 % vs 59.7 %, p < 0.001). Despite comparable rates of overall complications (5.7 % vs 3.5 %, p = 0.29), elderly patients had a higher incidence of stroke (2.3 % vs 0.3 %, p = 0.04). At 12 months, major adverse clinical events (4.5 % vs. 2.1 %, p = 0.12) and arrhythmia-free survival (70 % vs 74 %, p = 0.69) were comparable in both groups. None of the recurrence-free elderly patients were on antiarrhythmic drugs at the end of follow-up. CONCLUSION In this real-world cohort, the efficacy of PFA for AF was similar in elderly and younger patients. Despite comparable complication rates, a higher incidence of stroke was observed in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Mené
- Heart Rhythm Management Department, Clinique Pasteur, Toulouse, France; Heart Rhythm Management Centre, Postgraduate Program in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel-Vrije Universiteit Brussel, European Reference Networks Guard-Heart, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Jette, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Boris Schmidt
- Cardioangiologisches Centrum Bethanien, Wilhelm-Epstein Str. 4, 60431 Frankfurt, Germany; Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Medizinische Klinik 3- Klinik für Kardiologie, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefano Bordignon
- Cardioangiologisches Centrum Bethanien, Wilhelm-Epstein Str. 4, 60431 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kars Neven
- Department of Electrophysiology, Alfried Krupp Hospital, Essen, Germany; Department of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Tobias Reichlin
- Inselspital-Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yuri Blaauw
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jim Hansen
- Arrhythmia Unit, Department of Cardiology, Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexandre Ouss
- Heart Center Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Nico Reinsch
- Department of Electrophysiology, Alfried Krupp Hospital, Essen, Germany; Department of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Bart A Mulder
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Martin H Ruwald
- Arrhythmia Unit, Department of Cardiology, Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas Kueffer
- Inselspital-Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Jacob
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), PSE-SANTE, SESANE, LEPID, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | | | - Serge Boveda
- Heart Rhythm Management Department, Clinique Pasteur, Toulouse, France; Heart Rhythm Management Centre, Postgraduate Program in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel-Vrije Universiteit Brussel, European Reference Networks Guard-Heart, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Jette, Brussels, Belgium.
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Zörner CR, Tønnesen J, Riis-Vestergaard LD, Middelfart C, Hein R, Rasmussen PV, Ruwald MH, Gislason G, Hansen ML. Disparities in the access to atrial fibrillation ablation in Denmark: who gets ablated, who neglected? Europace 2024; 26:euae231. [PMID: 39230873 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia associated with reduced quality of life that can lead to serious complications such as stroke and heart failure. Ablation is a safe and effective treatment for AF but is not offered equally to all patients. The aim of this study is to identify demographic groups more or less likely to undergo AF ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS All patients with newly diagnosed AF between 2010 and 2018 were identified in the Danish nationwide registries. The association between gender, age, level of education and attachment to the job market, and the likelihood of receiving AF ablation was investigated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis. Cumulative incidence was calculated using the Aalen-Johansen estimator. A total of 176 248 patients were included. Men were more likely to receive ablation than women (7% vs. 3%). Patients aged 25-44 and 45-64 were most likely to receive ablation, while only 0.7% of patients aged 80 or above received ablation. The rate of ablation significantly decreased with decreasing level of education. Full-time employed patients were most likely to receive ablation, followed by self-employed, unemployed, on sick leave, undergoing education, and early retired patients. Retired patients were the least likely to receive ablation (3%). CONCLUSION This study found that women, older patients, patients with lower levels of education, and patients on social benefits are less likely to receive AF ablation. These findings suggest that there are significant social and economic disparities in AF ablation treatment in Denmark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Zörner
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Jacob Tønnesen
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Lise Da Riis-Vestergaard
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Middelfart
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Regitze Hein
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Peter Vibe Rasmussen
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Martin H Ruwald
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Gunnar Gislason
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
- The Danish Heart Foundation, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Lock Hansen
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Aldaas OM, Darden D, Mylavarapu PS, Aldaas AM, Han FT, Hoffmayer KS, Krummen D, Ho G, Raissi F, Feld GK, Hsu JC. Safety and efficacy of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in the very elderly (≥80 years old): Insights from the UC San Diego AF Ablation Registry. Clin Cardiol 2023; 46:1488-1494. [PMID: 37626475 PMCID: PMC10716336 DOI: 10.1002/clc.24137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catheter ablation improves outcomes in symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. However, its safety and efficacy in the very elderly (≥80 years old) is not well described. HYPOTHESIS Ablation of AF in the very elderly is safe and effective. METHODS We performed a retrospective study of all patients who underwent catheter ablation enrolled in the University of California, San Diego AF Ablation Registry. The primary outcome was freedom from atrial arrhythmias on or off antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). RESULTS Of 847 patients, 42 (5.0%) were 80 years of age or greater with a median age of 81.5 (80-82.3) and 805 (95.0%) were less than 80 years of age with a median age of 64.4 (57.6-70.2). Among those who were ≥80 years old, 29 were undergoing de novo ablation (69.0%), whereas in the younger cohort, 518 (64.5%) were undergoing de novo ablation (p = .548). There were no statistically significant differences in fluoroscopy (p = .406) or total procedure times (p = .076), AAD use (p = .611), or procedural complications (p = .500) between groups. After multivariable adjustment, there were no statistically significant differences in recurrence of any atrial arrhythmias on or off AAD (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR]: 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45-1.23; p = .252), all-cause hospitalizations (AHR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.46-1.60; p = .626), or all-cause mortality (AHR: 4.48; 95% CI: 0.59-34.07; p = .147) between the very elderly and the younger cohort. CONCLUSION In this registry analysis, catheter ablation of AF appears similarly effective and safe in patients 80 years or older when compared to a younger cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar M. Aldaas
- Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of California San Diego Health SystemLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Douglas Darden
- Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of California San Diego Health SystemLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Praneet S. Mylavarapu
- Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of California San Diego Health SystemLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Amer M. Aldaas
- A. T. Still University School of Osteopathic MedicineMesaArizonaUSA
| | - Frederick T. Han
- Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of California San Diego Health SystemLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kurt S. Hoffmayer
- Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of California San Diego Health SystemLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - David Krummen
- Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of California San Diego Health SystemLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Gordon Ho
- Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of California San Diego Health SystemLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Farshad Raissi
- Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of California San Diego Health SystemLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Gregory K. Feld
- Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of California San Diego Health SystemLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jonathan C. Hsu
- Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of California San Diego Health SystemLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
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