Readmissions and repeat procedures after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Abstract

(56.6 ± 11.0 vs. 59.1 ± 10.8; p = 0.019) and the time of the index hospitalization was shorter (3.75 ± 2.16 vs. 4.45 ± 3.26; p = 0.03). Within 30 days 194 (9.6%) patients were hospitalized and 747 (36.9%) in 1-year follow-up. All-cause mortality was 0. 1% and 1.4% in 30-day and 1-year follow-up, respectively. In a 1-year follow-up patients hospitalized from AF/AFl recurrence were more frequently hospitalized due to cardiovascular diseases other than AF/AFl (9.6% vs. 6.7%; p = 0.026), especially due to hypertension (2.9% vs. 0.7%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Over 1 out of 4 patients who underwent AF/AFl ablation were hospitalized due to arrhythmia recurrence in 1 year. (Cardiol J 2015; 22, 6: 630-636)

Cryoballoon or radiofrequency ablation for symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: reintervention, rehospitalization, and quality-of-life outcomes in the FIRE AND ICE trial

“… 1 However, the analyses of the secondary endpoints as shown in this article demonstrated significant differences during follow-up in favour of cryoballoon ablation, which are clinically relevant and of importance from a patient disease burden and health economical point of view. 6 , 7 Mainly, the cryoballoon ablation group had significantly fewer reinterventions (repeat ablations and DCCVs), all-cause rehospitalizations, and cardiovascular rehospitalizations. Only the quality-of-life measurements were not statistically different between groups.…”

“…Previous studies mainly in patients undergoing RFC ablation have shown that hospitalization rates are nearly 40% (within the first year) following AF ablation, with ∼10% occurring within the first 30 days post-ablation. 6 , 7 Atrial firillation-related readmission rates were as high as 22% at the 12-month follow-up. 6 , 7 Also, ∼10% of all patients underwent a repeat ablation, exposing patients to the same potential of procedural complications as during the index ablation.…”

“… 6 , 7 Atrial firillation-related readmission rates were as high as 22% at the 12-month follow-up. 6 , 7 Also, ∼10% of all patients underwent a repeat ablation, exposing patients to the same potential of procedural complications as during the index ablation. 4 , 6 , 7 In FIRE AND ICE, very similar rates were found across the entire study for repeat ablation, all-cause rehospitalization, and cardiovascular rehospitalization.…”

“… 6 , 7 Also, ∼10% of all patients underwent a repeat ablation, exposing patients to the same potential of procedural complications as during the index ablation. 4 , 6 , 7 In FIRE AND ICE, very similar rates were found across the entire study for repeat ablation, all-cause rehospitalization, and cardiovascular rehospitalization. However, when comparing both ablation groups, there was a decrease in rehospitalization rates for the cryoballoon group when examining relative reductions, including a 33% reduction in repeat ablations, a 50% reduction in DCCVs, a 21% reduction in all-cause rehospitalizations, and a 34% reduction in cardiovascular rehospitalizations.…”

MRI use for atrial tissue characterization in arrhythmias and for EP procedure guidance

“…In recent years, the interest in MRI centers on improving the outcome of AF ablation, which today is only 60–70% effective for paroxysmal AF 10–13 (as measured by the incidence of recurrence one year post-ablation), with lower success rates of ~35% for non-paroxysmal AF 14–16 . As a result, many patients undergo two or more procedures, which dramatically increases the risk of complications.…”