Temporal trends and racial disparities in atrial fibrillation ablation: A 5‐year study

Abstract Background Racial disparities exist in access to cardiovascular interventions, including atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. This study evaluates trends and disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the United States over a five‐year period. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional analysi...

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Main Authors: Daniel Antwi‐Amoabeng, Bryce D. Beutler, Vijay Neelam, T. David Gbadebo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Arrhythmia
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/joa3.70104
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author Daniel Antwi‐Amoabeng
Bryce D. Beutler
Vijay Neelam
T. David Gbadebo
author_facet Daniel Antwi‐Amoabeng
Bryce D. Beutler
Vijay Neelam
T. David Gbadebo
author_sort Daniel Antwi‐Amoabeng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Racial disparities exist in access to cardiovascular interventions, including atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. This study evaluates trends and disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the United States over a five‐year period. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2016 to 2020. Hospitalized AF patients undergoing ablation were identified using ICD‐10 codes. Trends in ablation were assessed across racial groups, and multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the predictors of cardiac ablation utilization. Time‐to‐ablation disparities were further analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results White patients had the highest ablation rates (1.08%) followed by Native Americans (1.03%), while Black patients had the lowest ablation rates (0.9%). A significant 52.6% increase in ablation utilization was observed over the study period (p < .001), yet racial disparities remained unchanged. Black (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.61, 95% CI: 0.56–0.64) and Hispanic (aOR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.77–0.88) patients had significantly lower odds of undergoing AF ablation compared to White patients. Black patients with higher comorbid disease burden, severe obesity, and protein‐calorie malnutrition were less likely to have AF ablation and experienced significant wait times (additional 1.3 days) before receiving ablation in time‐to‐procedure analysis. Conclusions While the overall rate of AF ablation has increased over time, persistent racial disparities in procedure utilization remain. Hospital location and bed size, socioeconomic factors, and comorbid medical conditions contribute to these disparities, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to close the gap in AF care.
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spelling doaj-art-2b3f7f6533844c459557fd42137176522025-08-20T03:28:01ZengWileyJournal of Arrhythmia1880-42761883-21482025-06-01413n/an/a10.1002/joa3.70104Temporal trends and racial disparities in atrial fibrillation ablation: A 5‐year studyDaniel Antwi‐Amoabeng0Bryce D. Beutler1Vijay Neelam2T. David Gbadebo3CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital Lake Charles Louisiana USADepartment of Radiology University of California, San Francisco San Francisco California USACHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital Lake Charles Louisiana USAEmory Decatur Hospital Cardiology Section Decatur Georgia USAAbstract Background Racial disparities exist in access to cardiovascular interventions, including atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. This study evaluates trends and disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the United States over a five‐year period. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2016 to 2020. Hospitalized AF patients undergoing ablation were identified using ICD‐10 codes. Trends in ablation were assessed across racial groups, and multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the predictors of cardiac ablation utilization. Time‐to‐ablation disparities were further analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results White patients had the highest ablation rates (1.08%) followed by Native Americans (1.03%), while Black patients had the lowest ablation rates (0.9%). A significant 52.6% increase in ablation utilization was observed over the study period (p < .001), yet racial disparities remained unchanged. Black (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.61, 95% CI: 0.56–0.64) and Hispanic (aOR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.77–0.88) patients had significantly lower odds of undergoing AF ablation compared to White patients. Black patients with higher comorbid disease burden, severe obesity, and protein‐calorie malnutrition were less likely to have AF ablation and experienced significant wait times (additional 1.3 days) before receiving ablation in time‐to‐procedure analysis. Conclusions While the overall rate of AF ablation has increased over time, persistent racial disparities in procedure utilization remain. Hospital location and bed size, socioeconomic factors, and comorbid medical conditions contribute to these disparities, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to close the gap in AF care.https://doi.org/10.1002/joa3.70104atrial fibrillationcardiac ablationethnic/racial groupshealthcare disparitiesNational Inpatient Sample
spellingShingle Daniel Antwi‐Amoabeng
Bryce D. Beutler
Vijay Neelam
T. David Gbadebo
Temporal trends and racial disparities in atrial fibrillation ablation: A 5‐year study
Journal of Arrhythmia
atrial fibrillation
cardiac ablation
ethnic/racial groups
healthcare disparities
National Inpatient Sample
title Temporal trends and racial disparities in atrial fibrillation ablation: A 5‐year study
title_full Temporal trends and racial disparities in atrial fibrillation ablation: A 5‐year study
title_fullStr Temporal trends and racial disparities in atrial fibrillation ablation: A 5‐year study
title_full_unstemmed Temporal trends and racial disparities in atrial fibrillation ablation: A 5‐year study
title_short Temporal trends and racial disparities in atrial fibrillation ablation: A 5‐year study
title_sort temporal trends and racial disparities in atrial fibrillation ablation a 5 year study
topic atrial fibrillation
cardiac ablation
ethnic/racial groups
healthcare disparities
National Inpatient Sample
url https://doi.org/10.1002/joa3.70104
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AT brycedbeutler temporaltrendsandracialdisparitiesinatrialfibrillationablationa5yearstudy
AT vijayneelam temporaltrendsandracialdisparitiesinatrialfibrillationablationa5yearstudy
AT tdavidgbadebo temporaltrendsandracialdisparitiesinatrialfibrillationablationa5yearstudy