Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Variation and clinical consequences of wait-times for atrial fibrillation ablation: population level study in Ontario, Canada
Authors' conclusion
Wait-times for AF ablation are increasing and are associated with significant morbidity.
Study context
- Population
- Adults referred for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) in Ontario, Canada, 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2020referred for de novo AF ablation
- Participants
- 6,253 adults
- Exposure
- Received ablation vs Did not receive ablation
- Outcome
- Wait-time (referral to earliest of ablation, death, off-list or study end) and composite of death, hospitalization for AF/HF and ED visit for AF/HF
- Follow-up
- Study endpoint 31 March 2022
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Median wait-time
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Adverse outcomes on the waitlist, by paroxysmal AF
| Comparison | HR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Paroxysmal AFStatistically significant greater risk | 1.51 (1.18–1.93) | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
Morbidity on the waitlist
- Patients on the waitlist affected by significant morbidity (mortality rare)
- 19.2%
Original publication
Variation and clinical consequences of wait-times for atrial fibrillation ablation: population level study in Ontario, Canada. Europace. Published 21 March 2023. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it